Aurélien Tchouameni is in the Real Madrid squad for the Champions League quarter-final second leg against Manchester City while the defensive midfielder, very good in central defense, is suspended.
After receiving a warning from Manchester City's first offensive, mowing down Jack Grealish last Tuesday, Aurélien Tchouameni is suspended for Real Madrid's Champions League quarter-final second leg on Wednesday evening (9 p.m.) at the Etihad Stadium . The 3-3 result of the first leg announces a breathtaking second game, even if Pep Guardiola's team remains favorites to qualify.
Tchouameni is in Carlo Ancelotti's group who will fly to the northwest of England despite his one-match suspension. If the club has not given any information concerning its French international, the Madrid press believes that the player is making the trip to support his teammates (and probably participate in match eve training at the Mancuniens stadium).
Nacho with Rüdiger
The absence of the Blues defensive midfielder is a big blow for the Merengues staff, who benefit from Tchouameni's talent for recovery by placing him as a central hinge. The Ancelotti (father and son) will have to relaunch Nacho alongside Antonio Rüdiger, for a back line which will suddenly be less monstrous in order to contain Erling Haaland (transparent in the first leg). Eder Militao has returned to competition but he could be too tight to start such a shock.
In the midfield, another question: Eduardo Camavinga (still amazing) will accompany Toni Kroos, but it is impossible to know if Real Madrid will return to 4-4-2 diamond after having evolved into 4-2-3-1 with Federico Valverde on the right to Rodrygo on the left. The Brazilian winger was placed back in this lane to defend and leave total freedom to Jude Bellingham and especially Vinicius.
