Man City vs. Real Madrid: Carlo Ancelotti names 23-player squad for Champions League knockout tie

By Darren Plant | 10 Feb 2025 15:58, Last updated: 04 Jun 2025 23:47

Real Madrid name squad for Man City clash amid defensive injury crisis

Real Madrid have announced a 23-player squad for the first leg of their Champions League knockout tie with Manchester City.

The defending champions and the 2023 winners square off at the Etihad Stadium having failed to finish in the top eight of the League Phase.

City's indifferent form has been well-documented, Pep Guardiola's side collecting just 18 points from their last 15 Premier League fixtures, yet Carlo Ancelotti faces his own difficulties with his Real Madrid squad.

Already with Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba due to recently-sustained injuries, Ancelotti was dealt a further blow on Saturday despite Real earning a 1-1 draw with neighbours Atletico Madrid.

Vazquez issue confirmed

Lucas Vazquez suffered a hamstring injury during that fixture and it has now been confirmed that the right-back will not make the trip to England.

A club statement read: "Following tests carried out on Lucas Vazquez today by the Real Madrid Medical Services, he has been diagnosed with a muscle injury in his left hamstring, meaning he will not be in the squad to travel to Manchester. His recovery will be assessed."

Ancelotti now faces a further dilemma at right-back and just six recognised defenders have been selected in the group of 23.

That effectively becomes seven with Aurelien Tchouameni deputising at centre-back, but Lorenzo Aguado has been selected to provide cover at right-back.

With the 22-year-old having only accumulated 67 minutes across three appearances in a Los Blancos shirt, the assumption is that he will be named on the substitutes' bench and either Fran Garcia or Ferland Mendy play at right-back.

Previously-discarded centre-back Jesus Vallejo is also named in the travelling squad, highlighting the struggles facing Ancelotti in the present moment.