Pep Guardiola rung the changes at Everton and the Manchester City boss is expected to return to full strength when his side host Real Madrid on Wednesday.
City welcome Madrid to the Etihad for the second leg of their Champions League semi-final tie, having come from behind to draw 1-1 at the Bernabeu last week. Vinicius Junior opened the scoring for the home side 10 minutes before half-time, with Kevin De Bruyne rifling home an equaliser with 25 minutes left to leave it all to play for in the return leg.
De Bruyne was among four rested for Sunday's win at Goodison Park, and the 31-year-old is expected to retake his place as the link between midfield and attack. The Belgian has three goals and three assists in his last five appearances across all competitions, enjoying a more advanced role and an ever-improving relationship with Erling Haaland.
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The Norwegian netted his 52nd goal of an incredible season at Goodison Park on Sunday, and will hope to add to his 12 Champions League strikes with a first against Los Blancos. Guardiola waited until the 78th minute to bring the striker off against Everton, but he is certain to start again on Wednesday.
Ilkay Gundogan was the man to step up in De Bruyne's absence on Sunday, netting two wonderful goals and finding time to set up Haaland in between. The 32-year-old is one of only three City players to feature in every Champions League game this season - coming off the bench in the opener at Sevilla and starting every match since - and is expected to do so again on Wednesday.
The other two to feature in all 11 games are Jack Grealish and Bernardo Silva, the pair proving so reliable for Guardiola on the biggest occasions. Both were rested to some extent on Saturday, coming off the bench together with 10 minutes left, and they are set to return on the left and right wings respectively, as they did in Madrid last week.
Rodri has played the most minutes of any City player this season, including Ederson, and the 26-year-old is expected to register a 52nd appearance of the campaign. Alongside him, John Stones will likely return to retain the role he has excelled at in recent weeks, stepping into central midfield when his side have the ball.
The absence of Nathan Ake makes defensive rotation a little harder, with Manuel Akanji needed to slot in at left-back. The Swiss international has been solid in recent weeks, forming what ends up being a back three with Ruben Dias and Kyle Walker.
Walker has been one of City's standout players since being told by Guardiola he cannot undertake Stones' auxiliary midfield role, and it is in these big games that the 32-year-old becomes invaluable. Madrid's biggest danger at the Bernabeu was Vinicius Jr. and the Brazilian will be the main point of focus again on Wednesday, with Walker's recovery pace vital in that situation.
Predicted City XI: Ederson, Walker, Dias, Stones, Akanji, Bernardo, Rodri, De Bruyne, Gundogan, Grealish, Haaland.
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