Real Madrid kick off this season’s Champions League semi-finals when they travel to the Etihad Stadium to face Manchester City on Tuesday night.

Heroics from Karim Benzema have seen Real progress through the knockout stages at the expense of Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea, but City represent their toughest test yet.

Their task is not made any easier by a string of injuries that could force Carlo Ancelotti to field a rotated back line. Here is the starting XI he seems most likely to turn to in midweek.

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Thibaut Courtois (GK) – Benzema’s antics have attracted the headlines but Thibaut Courtois‘ performances at the other end of the pitch have just been as important in getting Real to where they are in this competition.

Dani Carvajal (RB) – Looks finished as a top-level defender sadly. Could be given a very tough game by City’s rotating cast of forwards.

Eder Militao (CB) – Disagreements over contract talks should worry Real fans as the Brazilian has been superb for the most part this season.

Nacho (CB) – David Alaba limped off in Real’s last game, and although he’s in the squad, the Austrian seems unlikely to start.

Marcelo (LB) – Ferland Mendy is back in training but this one likely comes too soon for the left-back.

Toni Kroos (CM) – Has saved some of his best stuff for the Champions League in recent years.

Eduardo Camvinga (CM) – The youngster will be tasked with doing the running for his two senior counterparts with Casemiro out injured.

Luka Modric (CM) – His assist for Rodygo in the previous round deserves to be played on a loop at the Louvre.

Federico Valverde (RW) – His boundless energy always blows us away. So important to this aging side.

Karim Benzema (ST) – 12 goals in nine Champions League games this season tells you everything you need to know really.

Vinicius Junior (LW) – The goals have dried up in the second half of the campaign, but he remains a potent creator.

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