Real Madrid XI vs Man City: Predicted lineup, confirmed team news and injury latest for Champions League tie
Los Blancos head into the first leg at the Bernabeu with the Croatian midfielder having only just made his playing return from a hamstring injury.
Modric came off the bench in Saturday’s Copa del Rey final victory over Osasuna after two games out.
Aurelien Tchouameni will start in the 37-year-old’s place should his eight-minute run out deemed not enough to prove his ability to drop straight into the line-up for such an important game.
Real will definitely be without reserve midfielder Dani Ceballos due to a thigh muscle injury.
In defence, Ferland Mendy (calf) and Eder Militao (suspended) are unavailable.
That should lead to Eduardo Camavinga continuing at left-back having nailed down his place in the Madrid XI lately, with Antonio Rudiger coming into the centre of defence.
Carlo Ancelotti has preferred to play Federico Valverde on the right wing in big matches over the years, yet Rodrygo’s impressive form will likely keep him in the team after his winning brace in the Copa final.
Real Madrid predicted XI: Courtois; Carvajal, Rudiger, Alaba, Camavinga; Valverde, Modric, Kroos; Rodrygo, Benzema, Vinicius Jr.
Date: 8pm BST, Tuesday, May 9, 2023
Venue: Santiago Bernabeu
TV and live stream: BT Sport
Referee: Artur Dias (Portugal)
Real Madrid squad from: Courtois, Lunin, Lopez, Canizares, Pineiro, Carvajal, Militão, Alaba, Vallejo, Nacho, Odriozola, Rüdiger, Mendy, Obrador, Marin, Carrillo, Tobias, Marvel, Kroos, Modric, Camavinga, Valverde, Vazquez, Tchouameni, Ceballos, Martin, Dotor, Arribas, Peter, Aranda, Paz, Hazard, Benzema, Asensio, Vinicius Jr, Rodrygo, Diaz, Bravo, Rodriguez
Injured: Mendy (calf)
Suspended: Militao
