How Manchester City could line up against Real Madrid

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola will work around the absence of Nathan Ake ahead of Tuesday's Champions League semi-final first leg against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu.

The Netherlands international came off with an unspecified injury in Saturday's 2-1 win over Leeds United in the Premier League and was seen with an ice pack on his leg in the dugout.

Ake is one of two fitness concerns for the visitors, as 21-year-old midfielder Cole Palmer is still struggling with an ankle issue, although he has been passed fit to make the journey to Spain.

In contrast, Ake has failed to make the travelling squad, so Guardiola should no doubt consider a recall for Kyle Walker, whose pace could come in very handy against Vinicius Junior.

Ruben Dias and Manuel Akanji should complete the three-man backline in front of Ederson, as Aymeric Laporte prepares to make way for the former, but he will not be the only man to lose his spot in the XI.

Rico Lewis played the inverted John Stones role against Leeds, but the latter will now return to his newfound position alongside Rodri, who was also rested from the start against Leeds and will likely displace Julian Alvarez.

Rodri's return to the number six role will allow Ilkay Gundogan, who scored twice against Leeds before missing a penalty - much to the chagrin of Guardiola - to start further forward alongside creator-in-chief Kevin De Bruyne.

Despite setting up both of Gundogan's goals in strikingly similar fashion at the weekend, Riyad Mahrez could now give way to Bernardo Silva, while Jack Grealish will expect to return over Phil Foden on the left.

Erling Braut Haaland could not find his best shooting boots on Saturday, but the Norwegian's 12 Champions League goals this season is at least four more than any other player, and he will spearhead the charge against the club that he was also tipped to join last summer.

Manchester City possible starting lineup: Ederson; Walker, Dias, Akanji; Stones, Rodri; Silva, De Bruyne, Gundogan, Grealish; Haaland

> Click here to see how Real Madrid could line up for the first leg