Real Madrid travel to the Etihad on Wednesday evening for their
Champions League semi-final second leg against
Manchester City, with Carlo Ancelotti expected to return to full strength after resting several players over the weekend. Last week's first leg at the Bernabeu ended with honours even at 1-1, with a long-range effort from Kevin De Bruyne cancelling out Vinicius Jr's opener. That means it is all to play for at the Etihad, with the winner on Wednesday night booking their place in the Champions League final. With their domestic season already over in terms of fighting for the title -
Barcelona were confirmed champions over the weekend but only Atletico Madrid could have caught them - Ancelotti was able to rotate heavily for his side's 1-0 win at home to Getafe, with the likes of Vinicius Jr., Karim Benzema and Luka Modric either benched or left out entirely. ALSO READ: Carlo Ancelotti confirms injury boost ahead of City clash The Champions League is Madrid's only priority, and as such they are expected to return to a full-strength side to face City . Karim Benzema will almost certainly lead the line, having been left out of the matchday squad to face Getafe. The 35-year-old is enjoying one of his best seasons with 28 goals across all competitions, but has only scored in one of his last six starts - albeit that was a hat-trick against Almeria. Either side of the Frenchman, Brazilian duo Vinicius Jr. and Rodrygo will likely return to the starting line-up, the former having been the danger-man of the first leg at the Bernabeu. That chance to rest up over the weekend will have been particularly important for Toni Kroos and Luka Modric, who are 33 and 37 respectively, with Ancelotti expected to deploy the same midfield three that started in Madrid last week. Providing the legs alongside the pair will likely be Uruguayan international Federico Valverde. Eduardo Camavinga started at left-back last week but despite Ancelotti's confirmation he will have the 20-year-old available, following a knee injury picked up over the weekend, the Italian could instead move David Alaba out wide, with Eder Militao returning from a suspension that kept him out of the first leg. The Brazilian could start against Antonio Rudiger, who took a very hands-on approach to managing Erling Haaland at the Bernabeu but found success in doing so. At right-back, Dani Carvajal will likely reignite his personal feud with Jack Grealish , while Thibaut Courtois will keep his place in goal. Predicted
Real Madrid XI: Courtois, Carvajal, Rudiger, Militao, Alaba, Valverde, Kroos, Modric, Rodrygo, Vinicius Jr, Benzema Get your hands on our 48-page souvenir United v City FA Cup Final print supplement by clicking here . READ NEXT Follow the latest City news, views and analysis City squad vs Madrid confirmed after Nathan Ake update Carlo Ancelotti details Erling Haaland plan for City fixture Kevin De Bruyne and Jack Grealish return in predicted lineup vs Madrid
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