Seven players are to be suspended as Manchester City receive a huge advantage in their next match against Real Madrid.

Manchester City will approach their Champions League encounter against Real Madrid as the underdogs; however, they may gain a concealed advantage for the subsequent leg at the Bernabeu next week.

Manchester City is set to confront Real Madrid this week, arguably in the most vulnerable position they have experienced in any of their recent encounters in the Champions League.

Following encounters with the European Champions in both the quarter-finals and semi-finals, this week’s quarterfinal play-off will feature a confrontation between the victors of the last three Champions League tournaments. However, the team has been significantly impacted by injuries this season and is no longer in contention for the Premier League title, as evidenced by their 22nd-place finish in the Champions League League Phase, which encapsulates their difficulties.

Real Madrid also did not secure a position in the top eight and must therefore contend with this playoff; however, they are currently performing exceptionally well in La Liga and continue to be the frontrunners for the Champions League title. The City team will recognise that this represents their most formidable challenge in the nearly annual encounters with Carlo Ancelotti’s squad.

They must capitalise on their advantage at the Etihad Stadium during the first leg on Tuesday to establish a favourable position to defend when they travel to the Bernabeu next week. A concealed advantage for the second leg has now come to light, as up to seven players from Real Madrid are just one yellow card away from incurring a suspension for the match at the Bernabéu, following their encounter at the Etihad.

After the league phase, yellow cards are retained for the elimination stage, whereby accumulating three bookings results in a one-match suspension. For Manchester City, only Ruben Dias faces the possibility of suspension should he receive an additional yellow card.

In preparation for the second leg, seven players, including Jude Bellingham and Luka Modric, must exercise caution.

Crucial players Eduardo Camavinga, Aurelien Tchouameni, Eder Militao, and Antonio Rudiger may also be unavailable for the second leg due to the accumulation of yellow cards, along with the promising Brazilian talent Endrick.

Manager Carlo Ancelotti has received two cautions during the eight matches of the League Phase; thus, an additional infraction would result in his suspension from the touchline at the Bernabeu.

The City team will prioritise securing a victory at the Etihad; however, they could enhance their prospects at the Bernabeu should key players such as Rudiger, Bellingham, or Tchouameni be unavailable for the second leg.