Real Madrid are sweating on the fitness of Brazilian wide man Rodrygo ahead of tonight's Champions League second leg at Manchester City.
After an epic 3-3 draw at the Bernabeu a week ago, City and Real lock horns once again for a spot in the last four of Europe's premier competition. Bernardo Silva, Phil Foden and Josko Gvardiol were all on target for City in the Spanish capital, but they were pegged back by Federico Valverde's late thunderbolt, after a Ruben Dias own goal and a strike from Rodrygo.
It's now the Brazilian who is Carlo Ancelotti's only injury concern as the Spanish side travel to Manchester this evening. Rodrygo has a knock but has been pictured in the gym trying to get himself fit for tonight's game.
Aurelien Tchouameni is suspended after being booked in the first leg, while David Alaba and Thibaut Courtois are out long term.
Ancelotti rested Vinicius Junior, Eduardo Camavinga, Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao as Real Madrid won 1-0 at Mallorca on Saturday, with Tchouameni scoring the only goal.
ALSO READ: City vs Real Madrid is Europe's biggest rivalry and could peak next season
ALSO READ: How Man City should line up against Real Madrid
"I think we played well. I did not give rest due to a physical aspect,” said Ancelotti after that victory. “Everyone was fine. Only Rodrygo, who had a knock.”
Vinicius, Camavinga, Carvajal and Militao should all come back into the starting lineup for the game at the Etihad, alongside the likes of Jude Bellingham and Antonio Rudiger.
It will either be Rodrygo or former City youngster Brahim Diaz who takes the final spot up front in Ancelotti's likely diamond formation.
Real Madrid predicted XI: Lunin; Carvajal, Militao, Rudiger, Mendy; Camavinga, Kroos Valverde, Bellingham; Rodrygo, Vinicius Jr.
Get City transfer updates on WhatsApp!
Pep Guardiola's men are looking to move a step closer to another Premier League title – as well as complete another possible Treble.
Our MEN team of Manchester City experts will be on top of all the goings-on at the Etihad this week and beyond, and you can get the latest updates and inside information to your phone by joining our new free WhatsApp community. You can also join the 30,000 (and growing!) band of Blues fans who are following our WhatsApp channel.
Sign up to our community here, and join our City channel here.
--
We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
