Man City predicted lineup vs Real Madrid - Champions League | OneFootball

It's been years since Manchester City threatened such an early exit from the Champions League.

An unproductive league phase laden with capitulations was barely salvaged by a 3-1 victory over Club Brugge on the final matchday, with City's lowly standing in the table setting up a play-off with the holders.

Now, Pep Guardiola's side must enter the cauldron of the Bernabeu and win to have a chance of making the round of 16. A dramatic 3-2 defeat in last week's first leg leaves the Cityzens with a mountainous climb on Wednesday, but the task is not impossible against a not-so-infallible Real Madrid team.

Here's the starting lineup Guardiola could pick for the second leg of their play-off in Madrid.

Man City predicted lineup vs Real Madrid (4-2-3-1)

Erling Haaland is expected to be fit for Wednesday's second leg / Carl Recine/GettyImages

GK: Ederson - After contributing heavily to City's first leg collapse, Ederson bounced back in some style at the weekend and should have restored some confidence heading into the second leg.

RB: Rico Lewis - Lewis dealt with Vini Jr pretty well last week, but this is bound to be a different proposition entirely under the lights at the Bernabeu.

CB: John Stones - The Barnsley Beckenbauer likely won't be required in midfield on Wednesday, but he's too important to leave out of the team entirely.

CB: Ruben Dias - Dias missed out against Newcastle through illness, but the defender returned to training ahead of the second leg and is expected to return to the City XI.

LB: Josko Gvardiol - Gvardiol impressed in the first leg and has history on this ground, scoring a beauty during the 3-3 draw in last year's Champions League quarter-final.

CM: Nico Gonzalez - Don't worry, folks, Nico's here. Everything's going to be okay.

CM: Bernardo Silva - Bernardo's dip this season can be attributed to overuse, but there was respite for him at the weekend. Given Guardiola's faith in the Portuguese international, it'd be a surprise not to see him in the XI on Wednesday.

RW: Savinho - Savinho has proven himself to be adept off both flanks since joining the club, but the performance of a certain Egyptian at the weekend means he'll likely have to continue down the right in Madrid.

AM: Kevin De Bruyne - De Bruyne has had his moments at the Bernabeu. He's perhaps no longer a player who can take over matches as he did in the Spanish capital five years ago, but the veteran remains an important cog on the big occasion.

LW: Omar Marmoush - City's new weapon was utterly destructive against Newcastle last time out, and a similar performance in Madrid may well thrust Guardiola's side into the last 16.

ST: Erling Haaland - Haaland, who scored his first two goals against Madrid last week, had been an injury doubt after limping off on Saturday, but the striker was spotted in training ahead of City's flight to Madrid and is expected to start.