Manchester City have been dealt a blow ahead of their Champions League tie with Real Madrid as they will be without two key defenders for the game.
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City travel to Madrid for Champions League clashGuardiola without two key defenders for first-legFirst quarter-final game played on TuesdayWHAT HAPPENED?
The reigning Champions League title holders travel to the Spanish capital to take on Carlo Ancelotti's side for the first leg of their quarter-final tie on Tuesday. However, two important defenders – Kyle Walker and Nathan Ake – have not been named in the 21-man squad.
AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE
City captain and right-back Walker has not featured in any of the team's last three matches since he sustained an injury during England's international friendly against Brazil at the end of March. Ake, meanwhile, picked up an injury less than 30 minutes into the 0-0 draw against Arsenal on March 31.
DID YOU KNOW?
The defenders have played an integral role in City's battle to defend their treble of trophies this season. Walker has featured 38 times in all competitions for Guardiola's team, one more than Dutch defender Ake.
Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR MAN CITY?
City and Madrid drew 1-1 when they met at the Santiago Bernabeu in the first leg of the Champions League semi-finals last season before Guardiola's team ran out 4-0 winners in the return fixture in Manchester. The reigning European champions will hope to pick up a positive result this week despite the absence of Walker and Ake.