City duo Dias and Ake in doubt as Khusanov could start in Madrid

Manchester City set their sights on the Champions League play-off return tie at the Santiago Bernabeu after a convincing 4-0 win over Newcastle in the Premier League. Having thrashed the Magpies, Guardiola's men will feel they can turn things around against Real Madrid after losing 2-3 in the first leg of the play-offs.

The Catalan manager had deployed Ruben Dias and Nathan Ake in the centre-back positions last week at the Etihad, however, they both ended the match with fitness concerns. The duo therefore missed out on league fixture against Eddie Howe's side and are now in doubt to feature in the visit to the Spanish capital.

“I hope so," Guardiola said after Saturday's victory on whether the duo would be available against 'Los Blancos'. "Today they were not good; Ruben said, ‘I’m not ready to play 90 minutes, maybe 15, 20’. But having Vitor Reis on the bench we didn’t want to risk, and Nathan Ake had sick and problems after Madrid. Both were not ready.

The emergency in the defensive backline could be a big opportunity for new signing Khusanov to make his first Champions League start, with City also counting the absence of Akanji. The Uzbek youngsters earned Guardiola's praise for his performance against Newcastle after starting alongside Stones and earning a clean sheet for his side.

The City boss said: "Khusanov played, It’s really good for him, for all of us, the potential that we visualise he can have. His composure with the ball, he’s so extremely fast. The decision-making has to improve but it’s a question of age. The most important is that he has settled really well, he’s so shy, doesn’t talk much, and I think he will help us a lot."

 

February 16, 2025