UCL clash: Khusanov’s role in Manchester City’s battle against Real Madrid

On the night of February 12, Tashkent time, the first leg of the UEFA Champions League play-off round will take place. The evening features key matches such as Brest vs. PSG, Sporting vs. Borussia Dortmund, Juventus vs. PSV, and the highly anticipated Manchester City vs. Real Madrid clash, which is widely regarded as the standout fixture.

Head-to-Head Record

Since 2012, Manchester City and Real Madrid have met 12 times in the Champions League. City has secured four victories, while the Spanish giants have won three times, with five matches ending in draws. The goal difference stands at 21-18 in favor of Manchester City. Their last encounter on April 18, 2024, ended 1-1 in regular time, with Real Madrid winning 4-3 on penalties in the quarter-finals.

Predicted Lineups

Several football media outlets have released their expected starting XIs for this clash.

According to Sporting News, Manchester City’s lineup is predicted as follows:

Manchester City:

Goalkeeper: Ederson
Defenders: Akanji, Stones, Dias, Gvardiol
Midfielders: Nunes, Bernardo, De Bruyne
Forwards: Foden, Grealish, Haaland

Real Madrid:

Goalkeeper: Courtois
Defenders: Valverde, Tchouaméni, Asensio, Mendy
Midfielders: Modric, Ceballos, Bellingham
Forwards: Vinícius, Rodrygo, Mbappé

Meanwhile, Score 90 predicts the following lineup:

Manchester City:

Goalkeeper: Ortega
Defenders: Nunes, Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol
Midfielders: Kovacic, Bernardo, De Bruyne
Forwards: Foden, Savio, Haaland

Real Madrid:

Goalkeeper: Courtois
Defenders: Valverde, Tchouaméni, Asensio, Mendy
Midfielders: Camavinga, Bellingham, Ceballos
Forwards: Vinícius, Rodrygo, Mbappé

However, the publication Planet, which is close to Manchester City, suggests a different defensive setup, including Uzbek defender Abdukodir Khusanov in the squad:

Goalkeeper: Ederson
Defenders: Khusanov, Dias, Akanji, Gvardiol
Midfielders: Kovacic, Bernardo, De Bruyne
Forwards: Foden, Savio, Haaland

Two of the three predicted lineups do not include Khusanov in the starting XI, which could be attributed to his youth and inexperience in high-stakes matches. Real Madrid’s attack features Vinícius, Rodrygo, Bellingham, and Mbappé, all of whom pose a major threat to City’s defense. However, giving a young and ambitious player like Husanov a chance in such a crucial match could boost his confidence and development. Ultimately, Pep Guardiola will have the final say on the lineup.

Injury Absences

Both teams will be missing key players for this crucial clash. Manchester City will be without midfielders Rodri and Oscar Bobb. Real Madrid faces defensive setbacks, with Militao, Carvajal, Rüdiger, Alaba, and Vázquez ruled out due to injury.

Match Details:

• First Leg: February 12 (Tashkent time)
• Second Leg: February 20