Manuel Pellegrini’s men recently faced a wrath of Southampton as the Saints thrashed the Citizens by 4 goals to 2. Even though City lost, the fans and the manager witnessed another beautiful performance from the Nigerian youngster Kelechi Promise Iheanacho. The boy scored 2 well worked goals against Southampton and is building his name in the premier league all by himself.
Pellegrini named many players on the bench as the side will be looking forward to their midweek Champions League fixture at Santiago Bernabeu against Real Madrid. In the first leg, both the sides were tough on each other and denied to concede a goal. Cristiano Roanldo didn’t feature in the game as he was rested due to his injury.
Here is the Predicted Line-up for Manchester City that could face Real Madrid in the Second Leg of Champions League-
Goalkeeper: Joe Hart-
Hart didn’t have much to do in the first leg, but made some great saves to deny Casemiro and Pepe from a point blank range. As he is the number one choice goalkeeper for Pellegrini, he will surely feature in the game.
Defenders: Sagna; Kompany; Otamendi; Clichy-
With Ronaldo’s return in the starting XI for Madrid, Sagna will have a night to remember and will have to give one of his best performances in the following night. Kompany was rested in the last premier league fixture for the club, but Otamendi did feature. The duo was empathic in the first leg at Etihad and made some good interceptions as well. Their presence brings confidence in the team and both are capable of matching the physicality of Ramos and Varane easily. Clichy was loose in the first leg, but might start again to face the dynamism of Gareth Bale.
Midfielders: Navas; Fernando; Fernandinho; De Bruyne; Sterling-
As Silva will be missing the game, Sterling might get his chance to feature in his biggest game of his career. Fernando and Fernandinho had a great first leg where both the Brazilians showed real character and willingness to win the ball in great areas. Both the players were rested in the last premier league fixture and are surely going to start the next game. Navas might start on the left flank and De Bruyne is an obvious threat for the opposition as his pace and tenacity can cause real problems to Madrid’s defence.
Attack: Sergio Aguero-
The obvious attacking option for the Citizens. Rested in the previous game and surely going to start against Real Madrid. His pace and his striking abilities are fantastic and Madrid’s defence will have a tough time to stop this dynamic Argentine from scoring.