Manchester City vs Real Madrid – Expected Lineup and Team News

Published On: March 17, 2026

Manchester City vs Real Madrid – Expected Lineup and Team News

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Manchester City will face Real Madrid at the Etihad tonight, looking to overcome a three-goal deficit and secure a spot in the Champions League quarter-finals.

The team enters this match with nothing to lose after losing 3–0 in the first leg in Spain, where Federico Valverde scored a hat-trick. Additionally, manager Pep Guardiola dealt with a disappointing draw in the league over the weekend.

As a result, he is expected to revert back to a more traditional lineup instead of his earlier rotation for Madrid. City aims to end their two-match knockout exit streak against the Spanish team.

Manchester City Team News

Guardiola’s squad is almost at full strength, though he is missing two young defenders due to injuries. Joško Gvardiol is sidelined with a leg injury, while Rico Lewis has an ankle issue. Matheus Nunes and Rayan Aït-Nouri are likely to return as full-backs.

Mateo Kovačić is back in contention, having been on the bench against West Ham, offering much-needed experience in midfield. Erling Haaland will lead the attack, hoping to break a four-match scoreless stretch at home after not registering a shot in the first leg.

Gianluigi Donnarumma will be in goal with Rúben Dias and Marc Guéhi forming the defense. In midfield, captain Bernardo Silva joins Rodri and Nico O’Reilly, who is returning to his preferred central role after a tough outing at left-back in the first leg.

On the flanks, Antoine Semenyo and Rayan Cherki will support Haaland. In the first leg, Madrid held City to their lowest shot total of the season (eight), so the home team will need their creative players to perform immediately for a chance at a comeback.

Manchester City predicted lineup

Manchester City Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Donnarumma; Nunes, Dias, Guehi, Ait-Nouri; Bernardo, Rodri, O’Reilly; Semenyo, Haaland, Cherki