Ederson or Ortega… Who will be the goalkeeper in Real Madrid vs Man City Clash?
In anticipation of Manchester City’s Champions League quarter-final showdown against Real Madrid, Pep Guardiola finds himself grappling with a crucial decision: which goalkeeper will get the nod (Ederson or Ortega) for the first leg on Tuesday night.
Guardiola Faces Goalkeeper Dilemma – Ederson or Ortega?
Ederson recuperating from an injury sustained during City’s 1-1 draw against Liverpool last month found himself on the bench during the Premier League champions’ 4-2 victory over Crystal Palace on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Stefan Ortega impressed with another stellar performance catching Guardiola’s attention with a notable first-half save.
Guardiola’s dilemma was evident as he stated:
“I have to think about it because Eddie (Ederson) comes from injury… but we are really pleased with the (performance) from Stefan. He is an exceptional keeper.”
Amidst speculation regarding Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne’s starting positions at Selhurst Park, both players showcased their prowess with De Bruyne orchestrating a masterclass that secured City’s triumph.
Despite their relentless pursuit of another treble City find themselves trailing behind Arsenal and Liverpool by a mere point in the league standings.
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Pep Guardiola Comments Ahead of Real Madrid vs Man City Clash
Guardiola acknowledged the challenge posed by injuries this season emphasizing the importance of fielding a fresh squad for each match.
Looking ahead to the clash against Real Madrid Guardiola admitted:
“I will talk with my staff that see more games than me and change the line-up and try to win.”
While Palace exhibited promise, particularly in the first half they continue to search for their first victory under Oliver Glasner’s management.
Captain Joel Ward remained optimistic stating:
“I think there’s a lot of positives that we can take from that game… Against another team, we’d probably go on to win that game.”
As Guardiola deliberates over his team selection and City’s pursuit of Champions League glory intensifies anticipation builds for the clash against Real Madrid promising an enthralling encounter on the European stage.