Things are already opening up for Real Madrid's tie against Man City
The Premier League side could be without some key players in the first leg
With two weeks to go until the Champions League semifinal tie between Manchester City and Real Madrid, problems are already appearing for Pep Guardiola's side. They could have three big players missing for the first leg in Manchester.
The first is certain. Joao Cancelo will be suspended for the game after getting booked in the goalless draw against Atletico Madrid at the Wanda Metropolitano this week, his third in the competition. It's a shame for Pep because yellow cards are wiped from the start of the semifinals.
Cancelo
The Portuguese full-back is a regular in the side, to the point that he's the most used player in terms of games played (43) and minutes played (3,782) this season.
His substitute is likely to be Zinchenko, although Nathan Ake has also been used on the left in recent weeks.
De Bruyne & Walker
In addition to Cancelo, Kevin de Bruyne and Kyle Walker are also doubts. Both were taken off at the Wanda with problems. In England, they say it will be right for the first leg for both players.
With Cancelo out, losing another full-back in Walker would be terrible news for City, while De Bruyne is arguable their best player.
It has been a tough run for City and gets no easier. After games against Liverpool (2-2) and Atletico (0-0), they face Liverpool in the FA Cup semifinal this weekend and then have Madrid around the corner.
History repeats
If City end up with those three players out, it wouldn't be a new circumstance for Madrid. In the last final they won, against Liverpool in 2018, the Reds were without Oxlade-Chamberlain, Matip and Joe Gómez and lost Mo Salah to injury during the game, denting their trophy hopes.
