da dobrowin： Manchester City have had three key defenders miss training on Monday morning ahead of the crucial clash against Real Madrid in the Champions League.

da apostaganha： Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Gvardiol, Ake and Walker miss trainingAll three could be doubts for Real Madrid clashMan City take on Real Madrid on Tuesday, April 9(C)Getty ImagesWHAT HAPPENED?

As Pep Guardiola's side prepares to take on the record Champions League winners at the Santiago Bernabeu, they have had three defenders sit out training on Monday morning, in the form of Josko Gvardiol, Nathan Ake and Kyle Walker as per the BBC's Simon Stone. The latter two were already doubts for the Madrid clash after their specific issues during the international break, however, Gvadiol was the newest addition to the list after he was hooked off during Man City's 4-2 win over Crystal Palace on the weekend.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE

As they have been involved in a tense title fight in the Premier League against Liverpool and Arsenal this season, Man City have had their squad stretched thin due to the sheer demand on the players. The schedule has not been kind to the treble winners as they also had to play in the Club World Cup in December and now are going deep in all competitions yet again.

Getty ImagesDID YOU KNOW?

While Walker and Ake are unlikely to return for the first leg of the quarter-final, Gvardiol could be declared fit ahead of the clash as Guardiola described his issue as a 'little problem' after the Crystal Palace match, as per The Standard.

WHAT NEXT FOR MAN CITY?

The defending champions of the Champions League will head to the Spanish capital to take on Carlo Ancelotti's Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday, April 9.