Laporte at heart of depleted City defence for Schalke return

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola named only one recognised centre-back in his team for Tuesday’s Champions League last 16 second leg against Schalke.

Guardiola was without Nicolas Otamendi as he served a suspension after his red card in the first leg, while John Stones was only fit enough for the bench.

Vincent Kompany was also sidelined after missing training on Tuesday.

That left Guardiola with only Aymeric Laporte as the only regular centre-back in his starting line-up.

Full-backs Kyle Walker, Danilo and Oleksandr Zinchenko made up the rest of the defence at the Etihad Stadium, with either Walker or Danilo set to fill in at centre-back alongside Laporte.

German winger Leroy Sane, who scored in City’s 3-2 victory in the first leg, started against his former club in place of Riyad Mahrez.

Yevhen Konoplyanka, Benjamin Stambouli, Guido Burgstaller and Breel Embolo came into the Schalke side who were beaten by City in Germany.

Starting line-ups for the Champions League last 16, second leg between Manchester City and Schalke at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday (kick-off 2000 GMT):

Manchester City (4-3-3)

Ederson; Kyle Walker, Danilo, Aymeric Laporte, Oleksandr Zinchenko; Ilkay Gundogan, David Silva (capt), Bernardo Silva; Raheem Sterling, Sergio Aguero, Leroy Sane

Coach: Pep Guardiola (ESP)

Schalke (4-3-3)

Ralf Fahrmann (capt); Jeffrey Bruma, Benjamin Stambouli, Salif Sane, Bastian Oczipka; Suat Serdar, Nabil Bentaleb, Weston McKennie; Yevhen Konoplyanka, Breel Embolo, Guido Burgstaller

Coach: Domenico Tedesco (GER)

Referee: Clement Turpin (FRA)