Manchester City remain hopeful that two centre-backs could play against Real Madrid | OneFootball

Before Manchester City’s 4-nil win over Newcastle, there was concern over the fitness of Nathan Ake and Ruben Dias. Both players weren’t named in City’s matchday squad for the win at the Etihad. Speaking after the game Pep Guardiola told the media that he remains hopeful that the pair can play against Real Madrid on Wednesday evening. Manchester City will be hoping they can based on the size of the task that awaits them in Spain. But if they can’t, John Stones and Abdukodir Khusanov showed against Newcastle that they are more than capable of filling the void left by Ake and Dias’ potential absence.

Pep Guardiola was asked about the fitness of Ake and Ruben Dias after his team’s impressive win. He told the media that neither player was in a condition to play against Newcastle. Guardiola added that he was hopeful that the pair would be available for City’s clash with Real Madrid at the Bernabeu: “I hope so [they will be fit for Real Madrid]. Today they were not good. Ruben said I’m not ready to play 90 minutes – maybe 15, 20 – but having Vitor [Reis] on the bench I didn’t want to risk it. Nathan had problems after the game against Madrid so both were not ready to play.”

It would be a blow for Manchester City if Nathan Ake and Ruben Dias were both unavailable for their trip to Madrid to take on the European champions. Pep Guardiola’s side will be aiming to overturn a 3-2 deficit from the first leg of their Champions League knockout play-off tie. Ake and Dias would strengthen City’s defence.

Manchester City do have options at the back.

But if Dias and Ake aren’t fit enough to play Manchester City do have John Stones and Abdukodir Khusanov who could start the match. The pair impressed against Newcastle so Pep Guardiola does have options at the back. Attention will shift this week to the availability of two of City’s key centre-backs. But with Stones and Khusanov both capable of filling the void there may be no need to rush Dias and Ake back for the must-win game at the Bernabeu.