'What can I say' - Pep Guardiola's Man City concern ahead of Real Madrid tie

Pep Guardiola admits Manchester City are not in the best shape heading into their Champions League quarter-final with crucial injuries in defence.

Kyle Walker suffered an injury on international duty that has stopped him from travelling to Madrid for the game, while Nathan Ake pulled up in the first Premier League back against Arsenal and remains sidelined. Josko Gvardiol has travelled after being withdrawn at half-time against Crystal Palace at the weekend, but didn't train fully with the squad on Monday and was described by Guardiola as a doubt.

Guardiola didn't hide the fact that with Walker out City had lost their best chance of keeping out Vinicius Jr, especially given the England man performed so well in the individual duel last season. City's coach said there would need to be more thought about how best to patch up the defence in order to keep the Blues competitive in time for the second leg.

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"He's a doubt. It is what it is. Also Madrid have [Thibault] Courtois, [David] Alaba, [Eder] Militao out this season," said Guardiola. "It's true that the best player to control a player like Vinicius is Kyle. Unfortunately he was injured in a friendly game. It is what it is.

"We would love to have him but what can I say. We play with 11 and try to adapt with the players that we have because injuries are part of a long season.

Manchester City and Real Madrid will meet once again in the Champions League with the Spanish side out for revenge after City demolished Europe's most famed team last season on their way to lift their