Luka Modric and Nathan Aké’s injury updates ahead of tonight’s fixture
Carlo Ancelotti is on the eve of the semi-finals of the Champions League. The Italian success coach has to deal with Manchester City with Real Madrid. In the run-up to the squatter, the coach had good news for fans of De Koninklijke.
Ancelotti has happy news and message for Manchester City
Ancelotti had to do without Luka Modric recently. His team felt that, given the defeats against Almería and Real Sociedad. The seasoned trainer confirmed that the Croat was indispensable for his team. However, he has his veteran back for the battle with City.
Last weekend, Modric already returned within the lines during the final of the Copa del Rey. The midfielder was given fifteen minutes of playing time as a test and endured those fifteen minutes well. The Madrilenians conquered the Spanish Cup, after which the focus went directly to The Citizens. Ancelotti was delighted with the happy news: “He can play again without any problems.”
That means City knows they will be dealing with the Croat. The trainer didn’t turn around that either. “And if Modric is fit, he will kick off,” Ancelotti added. “So he’s going to play tomorrow too.”
Aké misses clash in Madrid: City defender did not get on a plane
Nathan Aké did not board the plane to Madrid with Manchester City. The Dutchman is injured and has to miss the first leg in the semi-finals of the Champions League.
Aké’s injury is a blow to manager Pep Guardiola, who saw the 28-year-old defender injured during Saturday’s victory over Leeds United. Aké missed City training on Monday, suggesting he would not have recovered in time for the first clash with Real Madrid.
City has now confirmed that. The Premier League leader has not revealed how serious Aké’s injury is. The Dutchman had just recovered from a hamstring injury, but is therefore not part of City’s 21-man squad for the game against Real Madrid.
Learning from past experience
Rodri hopes to take revenge. “Football gives you the opportunity to take revenge,” said the Spanish midfielder. “I am convinced, like my teammates, that you can always learn from past experiences. Sometimes you can lose a game in five minutes. We didn’t do well then and we have to learn from that.”
At City, the Champions League fever has now increased considerably. Will it finally work this year? Guardiola does not even call winning the Cup with the Big Ears the most important thing. He added, “It’s important to be consistent. A club is stable and healthy if you get far often. I would not like a team that wins the Champions League and then drops, drops, drops. It’s a process.”
