Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has confirmed that one of his crucial players could be available to play against Real Madrid.
Somehow, City managed to draw 3-3 at the Santiago Bernabeu, despite having key players like Kevin De Bruyne and Kyle Walker unavailable for the clash but to beat them in the second leg without their key figures would be a huge challenge.
Luckily for the Sky Blues, not only did De Bruyne start in their 5-1 win against Luton Town but he put in a masterclass as well.
Kyle Walker could return to proceedings, as per Pep Guardiola, which would be key as he and his vice-captain tend to turn up in the Champions League.
Guardiola will especially be hoping to have a fully fit side as beating Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium would mean they would have eliminated one of, if not the biggest favourites to win the competition.
As a result, the club’s medical staff must be working relentlessly to ensure the squad feels fit and firing ahead of the second leg of the quarter-final.
Guardiola shares “good news” about City star’s fitness ahead of Real Madrid clash
Especially considering Manchester City played as recently as on Saturday.
Real Madrid’s medics must be doing the same.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side faced Mallorca on Saturday as well, winning 1-0, courtesy of an Aurelien Tchouameni winner.
Fatigue, both mental and physical could kick in for the pair of juggernauts.
On one hand, Los Blancos had a nine-day break ahead of the first leg, which means they would be far fresher than City, who had quite a packed schedule ahead of their trip to the Santiago Bernabeu.
Now, all eyes will be on how Guardiola and Ancelotti line up their teams for Wednesday’s contest.
In his latest press conference [via HaytersTV], Pep Guardiola stated that Nathan Ake trained on Monday and he could be available for Manchester City in their clash against Real Madrid.
“It is important that Kyle [Walker] and Nathan [Ake] being on the bench [against Luton Town] and they trained yesterday and they feel good. After training, I asked, ‘How do you feel? Yeah, I feel good, feel good.’ That is a good news after we decide”, he said about the £41 million man.
Pep Guardiola would be hoping Nathan Ake can play a part against Real Madrid, considering he was injured for Manchester City against Arsenal and since then, he has failed to start in three successive games.
Guardiola might have a dilemma of who to start: Ake or Gvardiol?
If Nathan Ake is deemed fit to start, Pep Guardiola would have a dilemma on his hands about whether to start the Manchester City defender or Josko Gvardiol at left-back against Real Madrid.
On one hand, some would suggest that Guardiola should opt for Gvardiol over Ake due to his display at the Bernabeu.
Others might feel that the Catalan should prioritise experience and start the Dutchman against Los Blancos.
Also Ake would be better suited to keeping either Rodrygo or Vinicius quiet, even though Gvardiol can do so as well.
Pep Guardiola has a big decision on his hands if the treble-winner is ready to play from the off.