Real Madrid News
Official: Real Madrid starting lineup against Manchester City | UCL semi-finals 2nd leg
With Real Madrid set to face their biggest test of the season so far against Manchester City in a couple of hours, manager Carlo Ancelotti has announced the starting lineup that will take the field at the Etihad Stadium.
Coming into the second leg of the UEFA Champions League semi-final with a 1-1 aggregate scoreline, the Real Madrid boss has opted to make one change to the XI that started in the first leg at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Eder Militao and David Alaba start as the centre-backs while Dani Carvajal and Eduardo Camavinga will line up out wide in the Merengues’ backline that will shield Thibaut Courtois in goal.
Antonio Rudiger, who was brilliant in the first leg, has been left out on the bench.
Toni Kroos once again slots in as the holding midfielder for Real Madrid. He will be joined by fellow veteran Luka Modric and the energetic Federico Valverde in the centre of the park against the Premier League champions.
The attacking unit comprises of the usual suspects in the form of Rodrygo Goes, Karim Benzema, and Vinicius Jr, with Marco Asensio on the bench.
📋✅ ¡Nuestro 𝗫𝗜 inicial 🆚 @ManCityES!#UCL pic.twitter.com/x6mL4eF6MQ
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) May 17, 2023
Real Madrid set out on a mission to change the minds of Dani Ceballos, Marco Asensio and Nacho Fernandez earlier this week. After all, all three players were contemplating a departure from the club for a gross lack of minutes.
Los Blancos’ latest approach seems to have impacted Ceballos’ position in a positive fashion. However, Fabrizio Romano reveals that it has not changed Marco Asensio’s mind.
According to the Italian journalist, the Spaniard will leave Real Madrid at the end of the season as a free agent.
Of the numerous options on his table, he sees Aston Villa and PSG to be the best bets. In fact, Villa have already submitted their opening bid for the player as revealed by Fabrizio Romano once again.
After a dramatic final day of action in the Premier League, Aston Villa finished in the European spots and will participate in the UEFA Conference League next season. While a move to the English club would be a steep step down, it will see Asensio receive regular playing time.
Paris-Saint Germain, on that front, appears the more probable destination. The French club are close to losing both Lionel Messi and Neymar Jr ahead of the new season, and Asensio would thus fit in as a starting quality winger. Moreover, they offer Champions League football.
The Spaniard’s role at Real Madrid this season has not been minor by any means considering his contributions. In 30 La Liga appearances, the 27-year-old has scored nine goals and provided six assists in addition to creating nine big chances and averaging 1.4 key passes per game.
However, that does not satisfy the winger who wishes to be a starter week in and week out. His departure in June appears to be now written in stone, and the club should feel hard done to not make a penny of his move.
Many in Los Blancos’ administration see Brahim Diaz as a direct replacement for the Spanish international if he leaves. Needless to say, the AC Milan star’s future will closely depend on Asensio’s situation.
Pat Grey
May 17, 2023 at 6:02 pm
No, not too good Ancelotti. Without the physicality of Rudiger, Man City’s Halaand will run riot in Madrid’s goal area. Camanvinga would do better in midfield. His left back position gets him into trouble with slack passes that the sharp City attackers can easily capitalize on as it happened during the first leg. Asensio should have started as an attacker on the right alongside Benzema and Vinicius, with Rodrygo waiting to come in later. City are very dangerous, esoecially in at home games. You need physycality, maturity, and speed to keep them quiet.