REAL MADRID will be without several key players when they face Manchester City.
The mammoth tie first leg takes place at the Etihad on Tuesday night.
Youngsters Gonzalo Garcia and Raul Asencio have deputised in recent weeks[/caption]
And misfiring City have received a welcome boost with the news Real Madrid have named a makeshift defence.
The LaLiga leaders have not been at their usual best in Europe this season, and they have twice suffered heavy defeats to Barcelona this campaign.
And they will be without several experienced defenders for their trip to Eastlands, including centre-backs David Alaba, Antonio Rudiger and Eder Militao.
That means Aurelien Tchouameni, a natural midfielder, will have to cover in the heart of the backline – possibly alongside youngster Raúl Asencio who started against Atletico Madrid at the weekend.
The derby ended in a 1-1 draw despite Real’s rag-tag backline.
But they also lost right-back and captain Lucas Vazquez to injury, having already been without their first-choice in that position Dani Carvajal.
The veteran defender has been missing for much of the campaign and manager Carlo Ancelotti may have to call upon Jesus Vallejo instead.
He has been selected for the matchday squad along with five other defenders – Asencio, Ferland Mendy, Fran Garcia, Jacobo Ramon and Lorenzo Aguado.
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS
That could give City some much-needed encouragement after they were beaten by Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-final last year.
City have also struggled in Europe this season and won just three of their eight league phase matches.
But they will have a fresh Erling Haaland leading the line as the striker sat out of Saturday’s FA Cup win over Leyton Orient.
Mateo Kovacic, Josko Gvardiol and Jeremy Doku were also rested, although new signing Nico Gonzalez went off injured.
