All eyes will be on the Champions League next week as blockbuster clashes await fans on the pinnacle of European football.
Barcelona have been pitched against PSG, while Bayern Munich will take on Arsenal in two modern-day UCL classics. Atletico Madrid vs Borussia Dortmund promises a ton of entertainment, too.
Perhaps the biggest game of them all, though, is defending champions Manchester City locking horns against record-winners Real Madrid.
And while it is difficult to pick out a favorite for this game, Real Madrid have been handed a major boost for this game, but on rival watch.
Man City missing key duo
According to Fabrizio Romano, Manchester City have travelled to Spanish capital Madrid without Nathan Ake and Kyle Walker, both of whom picked up injuries across the last fortnight.
While Ake went down with a calf problem against Arsenal on 31st March, Walker’s injury came while on international duty with England. He went down injured in the first-half vs Brazil at Wembley and had to be replaced by Ezri Konsa.
Josko Gvardiol and John Stones , though, have been deemed fit for the game and is part of the travelling squad.
Who will be Vinicius up against?
Walker’s injury, especially, is a huge blow for Guardiola’s side as the English right-back was key last season to keeping Vinicius Jr quiet in the second leg, even though the Brazilian ended up scoring in the first one.
Guardiola could resort to using Rico Lewis as his right-back, but John Stones, who has played as a right-back on several occasions could be an option, too.
Ruben Dias’ spot in the backline is pretty much fixed, though, and depending on Gvardiol’s fitness, Guardiola will likely choose between him and Manuel Akanji as the other option.
This could mean Man City start with Bernardo Silva and Rodri as the double pivot, while Kevin de Bruyne takes on the no. 10 position behind Erling Haaland.