Three key battles facing Man City in Champions League clash with Atletico Madrid

Manchester City are halfway through a tough run of four fixtures in 11 days, but they have no time to sit back and reflect on their achievements so far.

Pep Guardiola's side drew 2-2 with Liverpool on Sunday, five days after they defeated Atletico Madrid 1-0 in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals. On Wednesday they will take on Atletico in the second leg in Madrid, hoping to keep up their good form and reach the last four for a second consecutive season.

The first leg panned out as many expected; City dominated possession of the ball while Atletico sat deep, with Kevin De Bruyne eventually finding a way through for a patient City. The same may happen for part of the game at the Wanda Metropolitano, although there will still be some key battles for Guardiola to consider ahead of kick-off.

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Key men return

Diego Simeone set his team up - first and foremost - to defend in the first leg, with two banks of five players permanently camped around the penalty area during the first half.

After half-time Antoine Griezmann stayed up top as a lone outlet, a sign that Simeone was looking to hit City on the counter. The killer breakaway never materialised and Atletico didn't score, but they were missing one of their best counter-attacking outlets.

Yannick Carrasco was serving a suspension but he will be available for selection on Wednesday. The Belgian will likely start at left-wing back, and his pace and directness mean he is the outlet that Atleti will look to most when trying to hit City on the break.

Guardiola must identify a way to contain the threat of Carrasco; Kyle Walker, also set to return from suspension, will