Pep Guardiola’s side took control at the Etihad Stadium thanks to a Kevin De Bruyne goal, and the winner of the two-legged contest will face Real Madrid in the semi-finals.
Team News
Atletico Madrid.
- Simeone will welcome Yannick Carrasco back into the Atletico fold after his suspension kept him out of the first-leg loss, and all players with two yellow cards will have their cautions wiped ahead of the semi-finals.
- Hector Herrera is still out, as is important defender Jose Gimenez, who is expected to miss the second game due to a calf injury. But Simeone is otherwise well-prepared for the second leg.
- The hosts are anticipated to make at least one or two changes as a result of the rapid turnaround and a pair of demoralising defeats, with Joao Felix expected to return alongside Renan Lodi and Sime Vrsaljko.
Manchester City
- City only have two injury concerns for the second leg, with Ruben Dias still battling with a hamstring problem and teenage forward Cole Palmer dealing with a foot issue. The pair have a tiny chance of making the team, but Guardiola will not rush them back, and Gabriel Jesus’ start at the weekend may have been planned with this game in mind, given the attacker is currently suspended for accumulating too many bookings.
- Kyle Walker has returned from his own European suspension, but Nathan Ake held down the fort at left-back in the first leg and will be hoping for another start over City’s frantic Easter break.
Prediction Analysis
Atletico must not repeat their performance from last week if they are to continue this week, with Simeone seemingly forced to take a risky strategy after limiting the Citizens to just one goal.
As a result of this strategy, the Atletico backline will be open to City’s sweeping breakaway plays, which will be more difficult to control without Gimenez, therefore we can only see the Citizens advancing to the final four once more.
Our prediction is Atletico Madrid 1-2 Manchester City (Man City win 3-1 on aggregate)
Possible Lineup
Atletico Madrid: Oblak; Savic, Felipe, Reinildo; Vrsaljko, Llorente, Koke, Lemar, Lodi; Griezmann, Felix;
Manchester City: Ederson; Walker, Stones, Laporte, Ake; Gundogan, Rodri, De Bruyne; Mahrez, Foden, Sterling;