Manchester City face their biggest task of the UEFA Champions League group phase, as they travel to the Bernabeu to face Real Madrid.
The Blues are just outside automatic play off places, with their opponents
two points ahead of them in sixth.
Last time out in Europe, a heavily rotated City lost disappointingly to Bayer Leverkusen, whilst Xabi Alonso’s Madrid beat Olympiacos 4-3 in a stunner.
Things have improved domestically for City since then with three straight wins against Leeds United, Fulham and Sunderland, whilst Los Blancos lost 2-0 at home to Celta Vigo on Sunday evening after being reduced to nine players.
Here are five things to look out for as City travel to one of the most iconic stadiums in Europe:
Cherki or Reijnders?
Pep Guardiola seems to be settled on ten of his starting team right now – with the only separation being between his two new midfielders.
Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Cherki have been rotated with each other recently and both provide different qualities.
Reijnders is comfortable on the ball and provides energy to midfield, as well as box crashing ability.
Cherki meanwhile has majestic technical ability and was player of the match against Sunderland, with two assists including a magnificent rabona.
I suspect that with Madrid’s current defensive deficiencies, Guardiola will line up with Cherki as the more offensive option, but past games against Real Madrid could well give the City boss an inclination to be more cautious.
Doku targeting the lack of Madrid right back
In Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dani Carvajal, Real Madrid are missing two of the best fullbacks in the world through injury.
The next best option for Madrid would be to play Federico Valverde there, but taking him out of the midfield significantly weakens them in that aspect.
That likely means an inexperienced makeshift will be deployed there – and Jeremy Doku will be licking his lips.
The Belgian winger is the best one vs one dribbler in the world and has enjoyed his most fruitful season to date, shining in big games against Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool.
He can add Madrid to his portfolio tonight, and if he does indeed get the better of his full back we can expect City to come out on top.
Donnarumma’s first huge test
Gianluigi Donnarumma was signed for matches like this.
The Italian goalkeeper was instrumental in PSG’s Champions League success last season, and this is his first big European game between the sticks for City.
He’s enjoyed a good start to life at the Etihad, and brings a sense of composure and leadership to what can often be a nervy backline.
But against the Galacticos of Madrid, he’ll have his first real test where we can truly judge just how crucial he can be for City this season and beyond.
Haaland getting chances on the counter…
Madrid don’t sit back and defend at the Bernabeu – their fans simply won’t allow it.
Alonso is already a man under pressure and needs a big win tonight in order to get back in their good books (or, in the words of some Spanish media, to save his job.)
This is excellent news for Erling Haaland. City’s number nine thrives with space in behind, and he should get that in abundance against Los Blancos.
…but Vinicius and Mbappe also striking on the break
The Blues however have to be careful about what comes at them the other way.
Vinicius Junior tends to play with a point to prove against City. Abdukodir Khusanov did a good job against him last season, but Matheus Nunes could well struggle if he’s not having one of his better games.
Kylian Mbappe is supposedly “injured” but having been named in the matchday squad, I’d be surprised if he doesn’t feature at all.
Both of them are fast and dangerous running with the ball and in behind, and Mbappe in particular pulled City’s defence apart in this fixture last season.
It’ll be a high scoring one as City and Madrid both struggle defensively whilst excelling going forwards, and in the end it could be Madrid’s injuries that end up being the difference between the two teams.
