Manchester City will look to defeat Real Madrid in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie at the Etihad Stadium after drawing the first leg 3-3.
City and Real shared the spoils at the Bernabeu, after a highly entertaining match.
City were missing key players such as Kyle Walker and Nathan Ake, with Kevin De Bruyne being ruled out closed to kick-off after coming down with illness.
So to take a 3-3 draw back to the Etihad is a decent result.
In De Bruyne’s absence, Phil Foden played in a central role again and he left many people speechless with his goal that made it 2-2.
It is not the first time he has stepped up in the absence of De Bruyne, whom City will hope to count on for the next leg.
But will he play over Foden? City legend Paul Dickov has had his say…
Paul Dickov shares who he thinks will play for Manchester City against Real Madrid – Phil Foden or Kevin De Bruyne
Foden wasn’t quite at his best level against Real Madrid, and struggled to get into it in the first-half.
But he improved after the break and his goal was of the highest quality, and the mark of a player who is oozing quality and confidence right now.
Foden is having the season of his life, and arguably, this may not have been possible had De Bruyne been fully fit since the start. The 23-year-old has thrived while the Belgian has been absent – and also performed when he’s played alongside him.
It will be interesting to see how Pep Guardiola sets up for the return leg, but Dickov believes the ‘special’ De Bruyne will not be on the bench again if he is fine to play, predicting both players will start.
He said: “We have got a small little matter of hopefully having Kyle Walker, Nathan Ake and especially not Kevin De Bruyne. I know you guys were talking about who is the main man in the team. Is it Phil or is it Kevin? I would love to see them both play. And I think they will both play in that game.
“Talking about Phil Foden’s level, Kevin De Bruyne doesn’t just up his own levels in the big games, the players around him realise what a special player he is as well.
Both players will surely start
It would be a major shock if Pep did not start one of these players in next week’s second leg at the Etihad.
De Bruyne had been due to start against Real but ultimately couldn’t play due to illness.
While it can be argued that Foden plays best in the position De Bruyne frequents, there is still room for both in the starting XI.
If both players are fully fit and able to play, then that’s exactly what Guardiola should do and not overthink anything.