Carlo Ancelotti has revealed his line-up for the cracker against Manchester City. The Real Madrid coach has appointed David Alaba as a replacement for the suspended Éder Militao. Eduardo Camavinga is on duty at left back. The expected names play in midfield and in attack. The match starts at 9 p.m. and can be viewed on RTL 7 and Ziggo Sports Select.
Thibaut Courtois is the Madrid goalkeeper. The Belgian envisions the central duo of Alaba and Antonio Rüdiger, while the back positions are filled by Dani Carvajal (right) and Camavinga (left). In midfield, the trio of Federico Valverde, Luka Modric and Toni Kroos can count on a basic place. Striker Karim Benzema is joined in the attack by Rodrygo (right) and Vinícius Júnior (left).
With the 2-1 win over Osasuna in the final of the Copa del Rey fresh in mind, Real goes into the diptych against City with an excellent feeling. Ancelotti has a fully fit selection, except for Ferland Mendy. However, Militao has to watch suspended. It will be the ninth time that Real and City meet in a European context. During the first four meetings, the Madrilenians remained unbeaten, but three of the last four matches fell in the direction of the Citizens. Last season, Real managed to end the series of three defeats thanks to a spectacular double by Rodrygo in stoppage time. Karim Benzema delivered the Royal then a place in the final (3-1) in extra time.
City still have a good chance of achieving the treble and also has the top scorer of the Champions League with Erling Braut Haaland. The Norwegian already scored twelve goals in the tournament this season. If City manages to beat Real, they will become the first English club to win at least two billion dollar bills at the Santiago Bernabéu. Guardiola has not won the tournament since 2011 and if he turns out to be Real’s lesser this time too, he will pass Jose Mourinho as the coach with the most eliminations in the semi-finals of the Champions League. Both coaches are now on six eliminations. Nathan Aké suffered a hamstring injury during the 2-1 win over Leeds United and is not there.
Real Madrid lineup: Courtois; Carvajal, Rudiger, Alaba, Camavinga; Valverde, Modric, Kroos; Rodrygo, Benzema, Vinicius Junior.
Manchester City line-up: nb