Real Madrid vs Man City: Carlo Ancelotti set to go all out after securing La Liga title

• Real Madrid will be looking to overturn a 4-3 first-leg deficit when they welcome Manchester City to the Santiago Bernabeu
• Carlo Ancelotti rested superstars including Vinicius Junior and Karim Benzema during Los Blancos’ 4-0 win over Espanyol over the weekend
• Man City, meanwhile, have been boosted by the return of Joan Cancelo

One week after an epic seven-goal thriller, Real Madrid and Manchester City come head to head once again in the decider on who will play Liverpool in the Champions League final.

It was Pep Guardiola’s side who triumphed in the first leg, winning 4-3 in a classic, whilst some Man City fans will feel their side should have won by more goals if they took most of their chances.

Real Madrid, who are the most successful club in the competition, are no strangers to stunning comebacks in the past, and Guardiola will be well aware of this fact as his side go to the Santiago Bernabeu.

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Match Preview

There is an interesting dynamic to the second leg, as far as Real Madrid and Manchester City’s ambitions are concerned.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side recently wrapped up the La Liga title by thrashing Espanyol 4-0, while Manchester City, despite leading in the English title race, cannot seem to shake off Liverpool, who are on the hunt for what will be a famous quadruple.

As such, Guardiola will need to find a balance as he juggles between two important competitions, whole Ancelotti will be looking to give it his all to overturn the first leg deficit in the Champions League.

Team News, Real Madrid

Ancelotti made a huge risk in starting David Alaba for the first leg despite the Austrian’s injury concerns. Alaba was eventually taken off at half time, and ahead of the second leg, he was named in the matchday squad.

Eder Militao and Nacho Fernandez are also back in contention, while Isco is set to miss out due to illness.

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The likes of Karim Benzema, Vinicius Junior and Toni Kroos started on the bench for the league game against Espanyol with Ancelotti having the Man City game in mind.

Here is Real Madrid’s predicted XI:

Courtois; Carvajal, Militao, Nacho, Mendy; Kroos, Casemiro, Modric; Rodrygo, Benzema, Vinicius Jr

Team News. Manchester City

Pep Guardiola’s biggest boost will be the availability of Joao Cancelo, who is likely to feature following his first leg suspension.

City will however be without John Stones in defence, while Nathan Ake faces a late fitness test after picking up a knock against Leeds United over the weekend.

At the heart of the team , Kevin de Bruyne, Bernardo Silva and Riyad Mahrez are all tipped to start, while Gabriel Jesus is likely to be included in the starting XI following his hot form in the past one week.

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Elsewhere, an impressive second-half display from Liverpool saw the Reds score 3 quickfire goals to secure a Champions League final ticket

The Reds had won 2-0 in the first leg played at Anfield and needed to avoid a two-goal defeat to secure a third Champions League final under Jurgen Klopp.