Pep Guardiola has admitted some of his players could have to play in positions they are ‘not used’ to in Manchester City’s clash with Real Madrid on Tuesday.
Los Blancos travel to the Etihad for the first leg of their Champions League semi-final, with doubts surrounding the fitness of several defenders.
Kyle Walker and John Stones missed Saturday’s win over Watford due to injury, while Nathan Ake came off the bench despite Pep Guardiola claiming after the game that the former Bournemouth man is suffering from an ankle issue.
Meanwhile, City are set to be without Joao Cancelo for the first leg due to suspension, leaving Guardiola with just three fully fit defenders in Aymeric Laporte, Ruben Dias and Oleksandr Zinchenko, despite the City boss speaking at length at the weekend about how the latter is not a natural defender.
But Guardiola still has hope that some of his defensive options will recover in time for the first leg against Carlo Ancelotti’s men.
Speaking ahead of the game, the City manager said: “We have a training session this afternoon and we will see the players who are doubts and how they feel.
“Tonight, tomorrow morning we have time to decide the line-up and I have to wait for the training session to decide. But I’m pretty sure the players will have to play in positions they are not used to. They are going to do their best, I don’t have doubts about that.
These Guardiola’s comments were shared on Twitter by City Xtra and it attracted plenty of attention from the club’s supporters.
“Oh, God. He playing Ederson as False 9, isn’t he?”
Credit: @mvx_mcfc
“Oh god here we go…”
Credit: @alexquintani11a
“Baldy dont overthink.”
Credit: @Uniquepedri
“I can’t wait to see what idea he musters up this time, we thinking Mahrez at RB or Rodri as a false 9?”
Credit: @BarcaMVP
“Sterling at right wingback.”
Credit: @RockyRhymes3
“Mind games… Walker will play tomorrow.”
Credit: @100_MCFC
“Walker has to play”
Credit: @Lynne96185276
“I’m telling y’all Walker is 100% starting.”
Credit: @Ge_woon
