SI

The Five Real Madrid Players That Need to Avoid a Yellow Card Against Manchester City

Some of Real Madrid's most important players could miss out on the second leg against the defending English champions.

Amanda Langell

Five Real Madrid players, including Jude Bellingham, must be careful to avoid a yellow card against Manchester City.
Five Real Madrid players, including Jude Bellingham, must be careful to avoid a yellow card against Manchester City. / IMAGO/NurPhoto

Five Real Madrid players are on the brink of suspension in the Champions League and risk missing the second leg against Manchester City.

An injury-plagued Real Madrid are headed to the Etihad to take on the defending English champions in the Champions League knockout phase playoffs. Not only will Los Blancos look to leave Manchester with a positive result, but they will also hope a handful of their most important players stay out of the referee's book.

Although Carlo Ancelotti's front three—Vinícius Júnior, Kylian Mbappé and Rodrygo—are all not in danger of suspension, there are five other players in white who could be forced to sit out of the second leg against Manchester City if they receive a yellow card on Tuesday night.

JOIN SI SOCCER'S REAL MADRID WHATSAPP COMMUNITY - GET ALL THE LATEST NEWS AND ANALYSIS STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE

The Five Real Madrid Players That Need to Avoid a Yellow Card Against Manchester City

Here are the following Real Madrid players that will miss the second leg against City if they receive a yellow card at the Etihad:

  • Jude Bellingham
  • Aurélien Tchouaméni
  • Eduardo Camavinga
  • Luka Modrić
  • Endrick

Of the five players, losing Tchouaméni would be the most detrimental to Real Madrid. The midfielder already has to play as an emergency center back because Éder Militão, Antonio Rüdiger, David Alaba and Dani Carvajal are all injured. Without Tchouaméni, Los Blancos would have to hope Rüdiger can recover in time for the second leg. If not, then Ferland Mendy just might have to play alongside Raúl Asencio.

Of course, Bellingham is another player Ancelotti can ill afford to lose. The England international's creativity and playmaking fuels Real Madrid's attack, and his defensive work rate is second only to Fede Valverde's.

Camavinga and Modrić give the midfield depth, but with only one of them in line to start on Tuesday, Ancelotti will likely not have to worry about losing both players to suspension. Endrick will also only log a few minutes, if any at all, in the first leg, so there is little danger of the Brazilian entering the referee's book.

READ THE LATEST UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE NEWS, PREVIEWS, PREDICTIONS AND MORE

Published
Amanda Langell
AMANDA LANGELL

Amanda Langell is a Sports Illustrated Soccer freelance writer covering the European game and international competitions.

Home/Soccer