Real Madrid’s Problems Deepen as Nine Players Could Miss Manchester City Clash
Manchester City will head to the Bernabeu for the fifth time in four years with more confidence than on their last visit. Pep Guardiola’s side were broken and bruised before they even kicked off for the second leg of their Champions League play-off ten months ago, and they were soundly beaten by their biggest rivals in the competition.
This time, there is far greater optimism. City may still not be at the level they aspire to in terms of team performances, but the manager hailed Saturday’s 3-0 win over Sunderland as one of their finest displays in 2025. The result took them to within two points of the Premier League summit. With three games remaining in the first phase of the Champions League, City are jostling for a top-eight finish that would secure direct qualification for the last-16.
They may need a result against Real to achieve that, and they know better than anyone how difficult such a task can be. At the same time, Real are also struggling to reach their desired level as problems under new coach Xabi Alonso continue to mount ahead of hosting the Blues.
Alonso has managed to get the best out of star striker Kylian Mbappé this season, and Jude Bellingham has successfully returned from injury. However, it has been harder to inspire threatening performances from long-time City nemeses Vinícius Jr and Rodrygo. Carlo Ancelotti was adored by the Real dressing room, and there have been rumours of discontent as the galácticos adapt to the new era under Alonso.
While City enjoyed one of their best performances on Saturday, Real slumped to a disastrous result. Their 2-0 home defeat to Celta Vigo leaves them four points behind La Liga leaders Barcelona and only a point ahead of Villarreal, having played a game more. They also had two players sent off and lost centre-back Éder Militão to injury.
Militão will now likely miss the City game, and he will not be alone. Trent Alexander-Arnold has already been ruled out with a thigh injury, while Dani Carvajal is also unavailable. Dean Huijsen, David Alaba and Ferland Mendy could all be absent as well, leaving Real significantly weakened.
City will themselves be without Rodri and Mateo Kovačić, with John Stones also a potential absentee. The England defender was not involved in the Sunderland game after picking up an injury, and Guardiola could not confirm how long he will be sidelined.
Nevertheless, Guardiola should feel his side are in better fitness and form as they travel to Spain for what they know is always one of the toughest fixtures in their calendar.
