Team news ahead of this week's games
Monday, April 25, 2016
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Who is in, who is out and who is a doubt? Need to ring the Fantasy changes? We run through the predicted lineups, suspensions and injury news ahead of the first legs.
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Manchester City v Real Madrid
Man. City: Hart; Sagna, Otamendi, Kompany, Clichy; Fernando, Fernandinho; Navas, De Bruyne, Silva; Agüero.
Out: Touré (muscular problem)
Yaya Touré's absence means the front six pretty much picks itself but Manuel Pellegrini faces a big decision behind them at centre-back as Vincent Kompany's return from injury means either Eliaquim Mangala or Nicolás Otamendi will have to make way.
Real Madrid: Navas; Carvajal, Ramos, Pepe, Marcelo; Modrić, Casemiro, Kroos; Bale, Benzema, Ronaldo.
Out: Lazo (suspended)
Doubtful: none
Cristiano Ronaldo had a rare weekend off as he nursed a strain but it was as much precaution as anything: he will be back on Tuesday. There was a question mark over Karim Benzema, who faced a fitness test after injuring his knee on Saturday, but he now seems likely to start.
Atlético Madrid v Bayern
Atlético: Oblak; Juanfran, Giménez, Lucas Hernández, Filipe Luís; Gabi, Koke, Saúl, Augusto Fernández; Griezmann, Fernando Torres.
Out: Tiago (broken leg), Godín (hamstring)
Doubtful: none
Diego Godín is a huge loss at the heart of Atleti's defence so José Giménez's return to action at the weekend was doubly welcome. He partnered Lucas Hernández at the back and a third successive clean sheet suggests Lucas could edge Stefan Savić for a starting place on Wednesday.
Bayern: Neuer; Lahm, Martínez, Alaba, Bernat; Alonso, Vidal; Costa, Ribéry; Müller, Lewandowski.
Out: Robben (groin), Badstuber (ankle)
Doubtful: Boateng (match fitness), Rode (illness)
The suggestion is that Josep Guardiola will go for experience over youth after Xabi Alonso and Franck Ribéry both earned a rest at the weekend. They could start alongside Douglas Costa and Arturo Vidal in Bayern's midfield, with Kingsley Coman and Thiago Alcántara on the bench alongside fit-again Jérôme Boateng.