Real Madrid lineup vs. Man City: Predicted XI for Champions League clash after Kylian Mbappe injury blow

Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso faces a debilitating defensive injury crisis for Wednesday's Champions League battle with Manchester City at the Bernabeu.

Los Blancos were already missing Trent Alexander-Arnold, David Alaba, Ferland Mendy, Dani Carvajal and Dean Huijsen for Sunday's 2-0 La Liga defeat to Celta Vigo, in which Eder Militao came off in the 24th minute with a hamstring problem.

The Brazilian's issue is a serious one and could potentially render him unavailable for as many as four months, leaving Alonso down to the bare bones at the back.

Huijsen and Alaba might have slim chances of recovering from their muscular strains in time for Wednesday, but Alonso should place his faith in Raul Asencio and Antonio Rudiger in front of Thibaut Courtois.

Alvaro Carreras started alongside Militao on Sunday with Fran Garcia at left-back, but the former should now shift across to a wide role as Garcia drops out - both wide men were sent off at the weekend but are fine to feature in Europe.

Alexander-Arnold and Carvajal's absences ought to see Federico Valverde occupy the right-back position, allowing Dani Ceballos to return to the engine room alongside compatriot Aurelien Tchouameni; Eduardo Camavinga is out with an ankle issue.

To make matters worse, Kylian Mbappe is reportedly not expected to feature due to a leg issue, so Gonzalo Garcia may be trusted to lead the line with support from Jude Bellingham, Arda Guler and Vinicius Junior.

Bellingham did suffer a nasty cut above the eye at the weekend, but his wound should not impact his participation in the matchday six clash.

Real Madrid possible starting lineup:

Courtois; Valverde, Asencio, Rudiger, Carreras; Tchouameni, Ceballos; Guler, Bellingham, Vinicius Jr; Garcia

> Click here to see how Man City could line up for this game