Pep Guardiola confirms Manchester City injury doubt for Real Madrid showdown

Manchester City hold a further defensive injury concern in the lead-up to their UEFA Champions League quarter-final first-leg tie against Real Madrid.

The reigning Champions of Europe travel to Madrid in their continued attempts to retain the European crown for the first time in the club’s history, following on from their success in Istanbul at the end of last season.

The meeting with Real Madrid over two-legs is a repeat of last season’s Champions League semi-final tie, when Manchester City held out to a 1-1 draw in Spain, before defeating Carlo Ancelotti’s side emphatically through a 4-0 drubbing at the Etihad Stadium.

However, this season’s meeting is likely to be marred by injury concerns for Manchester City, who have travelled over to the continent without two key names in defence in club captain Kyle Walker and left-sided option Nathan Ake.

Now, Pep Guardiola has issued a further concern for supporters to come to terms with, as the Catalan coach begins to finalise his own thoughts for a crucial clash in their Treble-hunting season.

Speaking during his pre-match press conference at the Santiago Bernabeu on Monday night, Manchester City manager confirmed that despite travelling with the squad to the Spanish capital, Josko Gvardiol remains a ‘doubt’ for the contest.

Elsewhere in Guardiola’s thoughts is likely to be the dilemma of who will start in goal for the Premier League champions following a run of outings for German back-up option Stefan Ortega Moreno in recent weeks.

Original mainstay Ederson has been ruled out for several successive matches through a thigh injury sustained in the 1-1 draw against Liverpool mid-way through March, leaving an opportunity for his counterpart to impress.

It remains to be seen whether Ederson will prove fitness ahead of the tie at the Bernabeu this week, however Manchester City supporters will no doubt remain comfortable should Ortega be called upon by his coach.