Combined Lineup - Manchester City and Real Madrid - From a tactical point of view
- William Russell
- May 17, 2023
- 7 min read
Manchester City and Real Madrid are arguably the two best sides in world football at the moment.
Last year, they faced each other in the UEFA Champions League Semi final. The tie went to extra time and, heartbreakingly for City (as they were ahead in the tie by two goals entering injury time,) they were eliminated from the competition
And this year, one of them will reach their second Champions League final in three seasons, where they'll face either AC Milan or Inter Milan in Istanbul on June 10th. The Blues are aiming to win their 1st Champions League title, in a bid for a treble, whilst Los Blancos are aiming for their 15th, to go with the Copa del Rey that they've already won.
The two sides boast players such as Erling Haaland, Karim Benzema, Kevin de Bruyne, Luka Modric, Jack Grealish, Vinicius Junior, Ruben Dias and Eder Militao, with all of those listed, and more, having the ability to start for the vast majority of teams in world football.
But what would happen if the two managers, Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti, combined resources to make a joint team, consisting of the most suitable players in each position to fit the tactics of both managers?
The two very successful managers have some shared tactics. They both like to have a defender, usually a full back, drop into midfield to help control counter attacks, and both have experimented with playing central midfielders in that position.
They also like to operate with a central midfielder out wide fairly often, with Federico Valverde and Bernardo Silva playing at right wing frequently for Real Madrid and Manchester City respectively. Ultimately, a versatile central midfielder is a very useful player in a Guardiola or Ancelotti team, as they have the excellent technical ability to help control the midfield in a way that a regular full back or winger could never do.
Their approach over strikers is the same as well. Both like their key strikers to work hard for the team, and drop deep to create space for other teammates. Real Madrid, with Karim Benzema, tends to do this more than Erling Haaland for Manchester City, as it seems to come more naturally to him. The 35 year old has a wider skill set than Haaland, which isn't surprising, considering he has been playing for Real Madrid for over 10 years.
But, in my opinion, the Norwegian is still the best striker in the world. Ready to pounce at any moment, the 22 year old has scored a sensational 52 goals in all competitions, and the fact that Real Madrid president Florentino Perez was so determined to buy him last season, before he made the switch from Dortmund to Manchester, indicates just how highly he is viewed by all concerned in football.
So, here it is, The 2 Silvas bring to you their combined Manchester City and Real Madrid starting 11. As mentioned earlier, this is based on tactical fits, not just ability, and it will NOT include injured players (Nathan Ake's injury means he misses out.)
Goalkeeper - Thibaut Courtois
Arguably the best goalkeeper in the world right now, Courtois is a player I felt had to be included in any combined City-Real 11.
The Belgian put in a sensational performance against Liverpool in last year's UEFA Champions League final, and has a perfect blend of good shot stopping and excellent distribution, a howler in the Champions League Round of 16 against Liverpool this season aside.
He has had huge success in the Premier League before, and would undeniably slot in well with a group of such talented players. Given the strength of the defence, he probably wouldn't need to do much actual shot stopping, but he is still a definite starter, despite the excellent recent form of City goalkeeper Ederson.
Right back - John Stones
A fan's favourite at the Etihad Stadium, the versatile and technically gifted John Stones is a player that is adored by Pep Guardiola, and would be adored by Carlo Ancelotti too.
Stones has excelled in every position he has played in this season and, after being on the point of departure in 2020, under 3 years later, Stones is now an indispensable player in this City side.
In this system, Stones will be playing slightly more reserved than usual; more on that in a minute...
Right centre back - Ruben Dias
In a back 4 of creative defenders, who could all - and have all- done a job playing in centre midfield, Dias provides the steel and solidity that will be needed or this combined 11.
The 26 year old has been the defensive leader for every side he plays for, and he would be in the combined 11 not just for his communication and organisation skills, but for his individual talent as a defender.
Dias's trademark move is a sliding block, and he tends to save his most aesthetically pleasing blocks for the biggest games. He is also aggressive in the air, and has the passing ability of a modern ball playing defender.
His skillset is similar to Eder Militao and Antonio Rudiger of Real Madrid, but, in my opinion, Dias, when at his best, is a class above those two players.
Overall, the perfect player to play in this hypothetical combined 11!
Left centre back - David Alaba
A man who has played centre back, left back, defensive midfield, number 8, number 10 and left wing in his career before: David Alaba is the perfect player for Guardiola and Ancelotti.
Alaba was a favourite of Guardiola's when he was the Bayern Munich manager, as the Austrian is technically gifted, adventurous in possession, and one of the most versatile players in world football.
The 30 year old seems to have settled at centre back now, and he's be a valuable asset to this combined line up, as he can use his excellent ball playing ability - and his strong left foot - to help the combined 11 move the ball up the pitch.
So this gives us an" in possession" back 3 of Stones-Dias-Alaba. Any guesses who's playing at left back?
Left back - Eduardo Camavinga
Dropping into midfield from the left side of defence, we have the talented and promising young midfielder Eduardo Camavinga.
The fact that the 20 year old can be selected in an unfamiliar position in a combined line up of the two best teams in the world speaks a lot about his quality, and the faith that Ancelotti has in him.
Guardiola loves to play as many midfielders as possible, as he views them as the most flexible and natural players for his system.
Camavinga, therefore, would slot perfectly into a combined side, as he is a naturally good defender, keeping Bernardo Silva quiet in the first leg, and also has the technical ability of a top class midfielder.
Defensive midfielder - Rodri
When it comes to holding midfield, really, there is only one competitor.
Rodri is, for me, the best player in the world at playing this position, as he has the ability to keep the ball in the tightest of spaces, win the knock downs and loose balls in midfield and, perhaps most importantly, be in the right position to break down a counter attack from the other team.
Toni Kroos is an excellent player, and Aurelien Tchouameni has a lot of potential, but, ultimately, neither of them are better options than the 27 year old Spaniard.
Right sided 8 - Kevin de Bruyne
Another straightforward pick in the centre of midfield.
De Bruyne is arguably the best creative player in the world, with a remarkable 27 assists in all competitions this season.
The 32 year old scored City's only goal at the Bernabeu last week, a thunderous strike from the edge of the box, and his involvement in the team will provide an extra level of creative drive and "chaos" in the combined 11's midfield.
Left sided 8 - Ilkay Gundogan
This pick was slightly less straightforward, however.
There are plenty of players who could stake a claim to play in this role, but, ultimately, for me, it was an out and out dogfight between Gundogan and 37 year old former Croatia captain Luka Modric.
Eventually, after much deliberation, it was the current form of the City captain that led me to include him in the combined 11, paired with his excellent technical ability and leadership qualities.
As well as this, an all City midfield would have a good understanding with each other, and it is a tried and tested solution, with neither Guardiola or Ancelotti ever really wanting to take many risks in their management.
Right wing - Federico Valverde
It was another difficult decision as to who would start at right wing.
I found myself conflicted as to whether to pick Valverde or Bernardo Silva, as both Guardiola and Ancelotti like to play a central midfielder on the wing.
I went with the 24 year old Uruguayan as he is a more direct attacking option, something that favours Carlo Ancelotti's system. It also fits Guardiola's system, in that he starts positively and finishes more cautiously, hence, bringing on a player like Bernardo to make the team more secure.
Plus, Valverde could swap positions with Kevin de Bruyne at any given time, allowing the Belgian to make some of his trademark whipped crosses from out wide on the right.
Left winger - Vinicius Junior
This one was another reasonably straight forward pick.
The 22 year old is one of the best players in the world, and had a fantastic game in the first leg, wreaking havoc down Real Madrid's left hand side, even with the exceptional performance of Kyle Walker.
Vinicius will be the outlet in this combined team, as he looks to hug the touchline, and take players on with his speed and trickery. He will be required to do his fair share of defending however, to keep Guardiola happy, but I think that's something he'll be able to do.
Striker - Erling Haaland
This was a reasonably difficult decision to make, but, ultimately, Erling Haaland just can't be left out.
The 22 year old has had a record breaking season for the Blues, scoring 52 goals in all competitions so far, and in a more fluid attacking line up, to fit the preferences of Ancelotti and Guardiola, he would thrive.
And, towards the end of the game, he could be replaced by Karim Benzema, a world class striker in his own right, who would offer more of an off the ball option.
Substitutes
There are a few names who, for me, absolutely have to be included in the squad, and they include Ederson, Kyle Waker, Toni Kroos, Luka Modric, Bernardo Silva, Jack Grealish and Karim Benzema.
That leaves 5 more spaces, given it is a Champions League match, so we will give 3 more spaces to defenders, and 2 more spaces for attacking minded players.
Defence wise, we need centre backs, so we'll go for Eder Militao and Antonio Rudiger. I'm tempted to include either Ferland Mendy or Aymeric Laporte, given they are a left footed option, but, instead, I'm going to opt for Manuel Akanji, due to the excellent season he has had.
This leaves 2 more spaces. Central midfield wise, we are well stocked up, with Kroos, Modric, Grealish and Bernardo options off the bench that can play there,
Hence, I am going to pick Phil Foden and Rodrygo as fast, young, direct options off the bench, to inject some energy into the game if needs be.
Commiserations to the likes of Aymeric Laporte, Aurelien Tchouameni, Riyad Mahrez and Julian Alvarez, for missing out on a space in the squad.
Recap
Starting 11: Courtois; Stones, Dias, Alaba, Camavinga; Rodri, De Bruyne, Gundogan; Valverde, Haaland, Vinicius Junior.
Substitutes: Ederson, Walker, Rudiger, Akanji, Militao, Kroos, Modric, Bernardo, Grealish, Rodrygo, Foden, Benzema.
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