Manchester City has the Herculean task of defending their home bastion against Real Madrid to go further in their pursuit of a second consecutive treble. Pep Guardiola‘s men stood their ground against Madrid in the Spanish capital with a 3-3 draw. They did so without the services of ace defender and captain Kyle Walker, who has been nursing a hamstring injury. However, in what can be a boost for City and a nightmare for Madrid, Walker has now recovered and will play in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League quarterfinal.

Kyle Walker feels fit and is ready to take on Real Madrid on Wednesday’s UCL tie at the Etihad Stadium. However, Pep Guardiola must think if he should risk the veteran defender from the start of the game, as per The Telegraph’s Mike McGrath. Walker was an unused substitute in Manchester City’s victorious English Premier League tie against Luton Town. So it remains to be seen if the Englishman will come off the bench or start for the Sky Blues.

“Kyle feels much better. So now we’ll see in the next days. Maybe he can  help with minutes because it’s a final,” said Pep Guardiola on Walker’s availability.

Walker’s return to the squad is pivotal for the Sky Blues. Real Madrid will potentially unleash the deadly Brazilian duo- Vinicius Jr. and Rodrygo on Walker’s flank for the heavyweight UCL tie. Rodrygo notably scored against City in the first leg. Meanwhile, Vinicius conveniently set up Fede Valverde with an air ball that he sent to City’s goalpost with a pile-driver of a shot. So, with Walker set to resume, Madrid will have to go the extra mile to secure a spot in the semifinals of the European championship. Further marring Madrid’s prospects, a few other superstars would also probably return to the Cityzens lineup.

More stars to resume action for Pep Guardiola against Real Madrid

Besides Kyle Walker, Manchester City’s star goalie Ederson is also expected to feature against Real Madrid. Pep Guardiola has been missing the Brazilian goalie’s services ever since he took a knock in City’s last PL tie against Liverpool. He made his return in City’s PL clash against Luton Town on Sunday after missing five games. Moreover, defender John Stones who sat out against Luton Town will also be probably declared fit for the Los Blancos tie. Guardiola notably sidelined Stones against Luton Town as a precaution for the meeting against the 14x UCL champions.

Meanwhile, midfield icon Kevin De Bruyne had recovered from illness and started in the Luton Town tie. Therefore, he too will lace up against Carlo Ancelotti’s Blancos. The return of Kyle Walker and other superstars coupled with home advantage – all signs indicate that the ball might be in City’s court before the UCL tie. But Madrid being the master of comeback wins has the potential to overcome all adversities that City posits.

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