Champions League 2024-2025: Real Madrid-Manchester City, the likely lineups

Real Madrid-Manchester City, the probable formations

At the Santiago Bernabeu, Real Madrid hosts Manchester City for the return leg of the Champions League play-offs. In the’first leg, the Citizens had been caught up in the final, suffering an'incredible defeat (2-3), now Guardiola’s team is looking for revenge to snatch qualification for the round of 16. On the other hand, the Blancos can count on two out of three useful results to pass the round.

Ancelotti will line up with the classic 4-3-3: Courtois in goal, defense formed by Tchouameni and Asencio in the center with Valverde and Mendy at full-back, Camavinga in the midfield in the booth, supported by Bellingham and Ceballos, and in attack the usual trident formed by Vinicius, Mbappé and Rodrygo.

Guardiola lined up with 4-2-3-1: defense led by the central Dias-Stones central pair, with Gvardiol and Lewis at full-back. Midfield dike formed by Bernardo Silva and Nico Gonzalez, with Foden, De Bruyne and Marmoush supporting Haaland's only striker.

Probable lineups

Real Madrid (4-3-3): Courtois; Valverde, Tchouameni, Asencio, Mendy; Ceballos, Camavinga, Bellingham; Rodrygo, Mbappè, Vinicius. All  Ancelotti.

Manchester City (4-2-3-1): Ederson; Lewis, Stones, Dias, Gvardiol; Gonzalez, B. Silva; Foden, De Bruyne, Marmoush; Haaland. All  Guardiola.