Real Madrid have no time to dwell on their disappointing result in the Madrid derby, as they gear up for a massive Champions League clash against Manchester City on Tuesday night.
With a place in the next round at stake, Carlo Ancelotti has called up his best available players for the high-stakes showdown at the Etihad Stadium.
After dropping points against Atletico Madrid over the weekend, Los Blancos must shift their focus quickly. Facing the reigning Premier League champions away from home is never an easy task, but Madrid are going all in, naming a strong 23-man squad for the crucial first-leg encounter.
However, Ancelotti has also thrown in a few surprises by including four youth players in the traveling squad – Sergio Mestre, Lorenzo, Jacobo Ramon, and Gonzalo Garcia.
Garcia, in particular, has caught the attention of Madrid fans after his last-minute heroics in the Copa del Rey quarter-finals against Leganes. His inclusion suggests Ancelotti might be looking at fresh talent to step up in big moments.
Injury Concerns and Defensive Woes
Real Madrid will be without key defenders for the trip to Manchester, with Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao still on the sidelines due to long-term injuries.
David Alaba also remains unavailable after suffering a setback in his recovery from an ACL injury that kept him out for more than a year.
To make matters worse, Antonio Rudiger will miss this match but is expected to return for the second leg at the Santiago Bernabeu on February 19.
🚨 Real Madrid defenders OUT vs Manchester City:
— Madrid Zone (@theMadridZone) February 9, 2025
❌ Dani Carvajal
❌ Lucas Vazquez
❌ Éder Militão
❌ David Alaba
❌ Antonio Rüdiger
❌ Real Madrid will now play at Etihad without a starting CB and RB. pic.twitter.com/eZoKRkVzAJ
These defensive absences mean that Madrid will have to rely on players like Ferland Mendy, Lucas Vazquez, and Nacho to hold the backline against one of the deadliest attacking forces in European football.
All Eyes on Madrid’s Attack
With the defense struggling, Madrid will hope their attacking firepower can make the difference at the Etihad.
The trio of Vinicius Jr., Rodrygo, and Kylian Mbappe will be tasked with breaking down City’s defense. Young Brazilian forward Endrick is also included in the squad, along with Brahim Diaz and Gonzalo Garcia, giving Ancelotti multiple attacking options.
In midfield, the experience of Luka Modric will be key, while the energy of Jude Bellingham, Eduardo Camavinga, and Federico Valverde will be crucial in Madrid’s attempt to dominate possession and create scoring chances.
Real Madrid Squad vs Man City – Full List
Goalkeepers: Thibaut Courtois, Andriy Lunin, Sergio Mestre.
Defenders: Lucas Vazquez, Jesus Vallejo, Ferland Mendy, Jacobo Ramon, Garcia, Asencio, Lorenzo.
Midfielders: Jude Bellingham, Eduardo Camavinga, Federico Valverde, Luka Modric, Aurelien Tchouameni, Arda Guler, Dani Ceballos.
Forwards: Vinicius Jr., Kylian Mbappe, Rodrygo, Endrick, Brahim Diaz, Gonzalo Garcia.
With such a strong squad, Madrid will be looking to strike first and take an advantage into the second leg at home. However, Pep Guardiola’s City side is unbeaten at the Etihad in the Champions League for over three years, making this an incredibly tough test for Los Blancos.
Can Real Madrid rise to the challenge and take a crucial step toward the next round? Football fans around the world will be eagerly watching when the action kicks off on Tuesday night at 21:00 CET.
For the official squad announcement, visit Real Madrid’s website.
Check out UEFA’s preview for more insights.
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