Alvaro Arbeloa has several key decisions to make over his Real Madrid team that faces Manchester City on Wednesday (March 11th). Los Blancos host the Cityzens at the Santiago Bernabeu in the first leg of their Champions League Round of 16 tie.
Madrid are once again facing City in Europe's elite club competition and it has been a regular fixture over the years. The two European giants faced one another in the league phase and Pep Guardiola's men won 2-1 at the Bernabeu.
Arbeloa is already set to be without seven key players including Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham. He also has some concerns over who starts tomorrow night.
Real Madrid vs Man City: Decision time for Arbeloa
Madrid bounced back from two consecutive defeats in La Liga with a 2-1 win over Celta Vigo last Friday. It was a much-needed win that at least kept them in the title picture, trailing Barcelona by four points with 11 games remaining.
Arbeloa started young Spanish midfielder Thiago Pitarch in that game and he is considering doing so against City. A report from Miguel Angel Diaz of COPE (via Madrid Xtra) claims that Los Blancos' coach is set to choose between Pitarch and Eduardo Camavinga.
The French midfielder has been absent due to a dental issue but is expected to be available tomorrow. His manager will have to decide whether to go with experience or continue with Pitarch who is making a name for himself with impressive displays.
Arbeloa is also pondering recalling Gonzalo Garcia to his starting lineup. The Spanish striker started on the bench against Celta and Brahim Diaz was given a chance from the off.
Diaz has found game time hard to come by and it seems he might be set to return to his role of an impact sub. It's claimed that Garcia has "better chances" to lead the line against the Cityzens.
Arbeloa will need his defense to be at their best against a City side boasting the prolific Erling Haaland. He is likely to have Dean Huijsen back fit for the game and he is set to decide whether to start the former Bournemouth man or Raul Asencio alongside Antonio Rudiger.
Who Madrid feel can be the difference
Madrid's constant battles with City over the years has led to several players knowing what the fixture often brings. That's the case for Vinicius Junior who has been superb against Guardiola's men.
Vinicius has bagged two goals and five assists in 10 games against the Premier League giants. He will be eager to continue that form tomorrow night.
According to Diario AS, the noise coming out of Valdebebas is that Vinicius is the one who can win the game for Madrid. They have "complete confidence" in the 25-year-old to come to the fore.
Vinicius bounced back from a difficult first half of the season following Arbeloa's appointment in January. He has managed 13 goals and 11 assists in 39 games across competitions.