How Man City should line up vs Real Madrid in Champions League

Manchester City could be without all three right-back options against Real Madrid on Tuesday in the Champions League semi-final first leg.

Joao Cancelo is suspended, and Kyle Walker has been injured — with City leaving a decision on his availability until the last minute. Similarly, John Stones hasn't trained since picking up an injury last week versus Brighton, so Guardiola could be left without any senior right-back options.

Guardiola ruled out playing Gabriel Jesus at right-back, despite offering it as a suggestion at the weekend, so he will be hoping for some positive injury news to solve his dilemma.

ALSO READ: Every word of Pep Guardiola's pre-Real Madrid Man City press conference

In attack, Ilkay Gundogan, Bernardo Silva, Phil Foden and Riyad Mahrez all were rested against Watford at the weekend, while Kevin De Bruyne was substituted early, so those players could be in line to feature.

Read how our writers think City should line up below and use the interactive team selector to pick your best starting XI:

Stuart Brennan

Right back has been the big topic of discussion, especially as it brings the occupant into direct confrontation with danger man Vinicius Junior. With Joao Cancelo suspended and John Stones and Kyle Walker big doubts, Pep Guardiola has a major issue.

He is likely to switch either Nathan Ake or Oleks Zinchenko to right back if Stones and Walker do not make it. The rest of the team almost picks itself, with Ilkay Gundogan set to slot into midfield alongside Kevin De Bruyne and Rodri.

That leaves a fresh front three of Riyad Mahrez — who was a Champions League giant last season — Bernardo Silva and Phil Foden, with plenty of back-up on the bench in Jack Grealish and Raheem Sterling.

Joe Bray

If Stones