Kevin De Bruyne is among the substitutes for Manchester City at Real Madrid in the Champions League Champions League on Tuesday night, suffering from ‘stomach problems’ ahead of the match.
De Bruyne scored two goals as City defeated Crystal Palace 4-2 on Saturday but has been omitted from the starting lineup at the Santiago Bernabeu due to illness. Crystal Palace on Saturday
When asked about the absence of the Belgian, Guardiola informed TNT Sports: ‘Vomiting. He feels unwell. We had a meeting and he was ready, but upon arrival in the locker room, he started vomiting and expressed his unpreparedness.'
‘It is what it is. Of course it’s not good news.’
Joining De Bruyne on the bench is goalkeeper Ederson, who was sidelined for a month with a hamstring issue but returned to the bench in the Palace victory, making his appearance in Madrid seem plausible.
However, the Brazilian remains among the substitutes, while Stefan Ortega retains his position as goalkeeper at the renowned venue.
With De Bruyne absent from the lineup, Rodri and Matteo Kovacic take their places in central midfield, supporting Bernardo Silva, Phil Foden, and Jack Grealish, with Erling Haaland leading the attack.
Kyle Walker is still sidelined with injury, with Manuel Akanji starting at right-back, and John Stones and Ruben Dias in central defense, alongside Josko Gvardiol on the left.
The City bench, packed with talent, includes not only De Bruyne and Ederson, but also the likes of Jeremy Doku, Julian Alvarez, Rico Lewis, and Matheus Nunes.
Real Madrid XI: Lunin, Carvajal, Rudiger, Tchouameni, Mendy, Kroos, Valverde, Camavinga, Bellingham, Vinicius Jr, Rodrygo.
Subs: Kepa, Fran, Militao, Nacho, Modric, Joselu, Vazquez, Ceballos, Fran Garcia, Diaz, Guler.
Man City XI: Ortega, Akanji, Stones, Dias, Gvardiol, Rodri, Kovacic, Bernardo, Foden, Grealish, Haaland.
Subs: Ederson, Carson, Doku, De Bruyne, Alvarez, Gomez, Nunes, Bobb, Susoho, Lewis.
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