Manchester City are taking on Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-final second leg on Wednesday – and Phil Foden has shared an encouraging snap on social media.
Pep Guardiola is currently plotting how best to set up, with the tie delicately balanced at 3-3.
City fans will be hoping for another performance like the one last season at the Etihad, which finished 4-0 to the home side. That display is widely regarded as the best from Pep’s time at City.
Guardiola may well have Kyle Walker back fit for the clash, with the full-back believing he will be available for the game. Nathan Ake is also likely to be in the squad, as he was at the weekend against Luton Town.
There is also a strong possibility that John Stones will be available after he missed the squad against Luton.
Phil Foden took to Instagram yesterday and a snap he shared makes for encouraging reading…
Phil Foden shares picture that shows John Stones back in Manchester City training ahead of Real Madrid clash
Manchester City are in a good place heading into Wednesday night’s game.
The team is in magnificent form, and have not lost since against Aston Villa in early December.
The 5-1 weekend win over Luton kept the momentum going, and Guardiola was able to rest key players against the Hatters.
It is going to take a very big effort from the Spanish giants to get a result. That said, they are probably the team best equipped to come through this tie and will pose a threat at the Etihad.
But it seems Guardiola will have a key player available in Stones, who missed the game with Luton because he was feeling uncomfortable.
But Phil Foden shared a couple of pictures last night to his Instagram Story, showing that Stones has returned to training ahead of Wednesday night’s game.
A relief
It is great to see Stones has returned to training ahead of Wednesday’s huge game with Real.
It is always a worry when you do not see his name in the matchday squad. But Pep did not seem overly concerned about him at the weekend, and now he has been seen training again.
Stones could well be crucial for City against Real.
He is likely to push into midfield to support Rodri and help City control the game, as he does so well.
The £50 million England international is a highly trusted player for Pep, and many City fans generally feel a lot better when he is in the starting lineup.