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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Jack Flintham

Grealish and Mahrez start — Man City fans pick line up for Atletico Madrid Champions League tie

Manchester City's vital week continues tonight as they travel to Atletico Madrid for the second leg of their Champions League quarter final.

City come into this game on the back of a pulsating draw with Premier League title challengers Liverpool. The Blues twice led through Kevin De Bruyne and Gabriel Jesus but were pegged back on both occasions by Diogo Jota and Sadio Mane.

Pep Guardiola's side face Liverpool again on Saturday in the FA Cup semi finals, but before that they need to secure their place in the last four of the Champions League. City hold a 1-0 advantage heading to the Wanda Metropolitano and the winners will face Real Madrid after they survived a scare to beat Chelsea on Tuesday.

ALSO READ: Man City plan at least two summer departures to boost transfer funds

With another big game on the horizon at the weekend, here's how Blues fans think City should lineup this evening.

Goalkeeper - Ederson

City's number one almost had a disaster against Liverpool on Sunday but managed to show incredible composure with Jota hurtling towards him. He will surely keep his place in goal for this huge European night.

Defenders - Kyle Walker, Aymeric Laporte, John Stones, Joao Cancelo

Blues fans are happy to go with an unchanged back four for the trip to Madrid. The big call Guardiola will have to make tonight is whether Ruben Dias should return in defence now he's fit again following injury.

Laporte and Stones have put in some dominant defensive displays following the absence of Dias helping to ensure he keeps his place in the team. Dias may return at the weekend, with City likely wanting to refresh their squad.

Midfielders - Kevin De Bruyne, Rodri, Bernardo Silva

City fans have become very familiar with this midfield combination and they want to see it again tonight. De Bruyne's 70th minute strike is the reason City hold the advantage tonight and he is now undroppable.

There is no place for Ilkay Gundogan who started against Atletico in Manchester. City fans clearly feel limited changes are needed in the middle of the park after Sunday.

Forwards - Riyad Mahrez, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish

Only Foden manages to keep his place from Sunday in a much changed front three. Gabriel Jesus was the surprise inclusion at the weekend, but he repaid Guardiola's faith scoring the second goal.

Manchester City fans starting lineup to face Atletico Madrid (Pick The Team)

Raheem Sterling also started against the Merseyside club and had a goal ruled out for a marginal offside. He was replaced with 15 minutes to go for Mahrez and City fans have decided to give him the nod this evening.

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