Jack Grealish out and Ederson returns - Predicted Man City XI vs Real Madrid in Champions League

Manchester City will have at least two key defenders missing for their Champions League quarter-final first leg tie against Real Madrid on Tuesday and may have a third absent.

Kyle Walker completed individual training on Monday but has not travelled to Spain after being deemed not fit enough to feature. It means Pep Guardiola may have to think laterally about how to deal with pacey Real winger Vinicius Jr.

One other player he cannot call upon for this is Nathan Ake, who has not played since going off with a leg issue against Arsenal eight days ago. It leaves City’s defensive ranks stretched, even without Josko Gvardiol’s possible absence.

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The Croatian was replaced at haf-time in Saturday’s 4-2 win over Crystal Palace with a minor leg problem and was not seen on Monday, albeit making the cut for the travelling squad. He faces a late fitness test, with City mindful of Ruben Dias being a yellow card away from suspension.

Accumulative booking bans get wiped out after the quarter-final stage, although a player who earns a red card is still ruled out. Dias has to survive two legs against Real without picking up a caution to avoid a suspension.

Guardiola has little other option other than to play him at the Bernabeu, though, given City’s thinned defensive ranks. Putting Rico Lewis at right-back against Vinicius may be too much risk, despite the 19-year-old’s obvious talents.

So, the City boss may turn to the 3-2-4-1 formation that brought him the Treble last season. City are boosted by the return of Ederson, who has not played since clattering into Darwin Nunez in the 1-1 draw