Tchouaméni vs Nacho: New leader in the race to face Man City

An update on the plans of the coaching staff at La Liga giants Real Madrid for the club’s impending showdown with Manchester City has come to the fore on Monday.

Real, of course, will mark their return to action in 24 hours’ time.

Amid ongoing efforts to reclaim their throne at the summit of European football, Carlo Ancelotti’s troops will play host to the aforementioned Man City, in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final tie between the clubs.

Los Blancos will head into the matchup with revenge in mind, after being sent packing from the competition in comprehensive fashion by the Premier League champions last season.

In their push for as much, boss Ancelotti will play a crucial role, with the XI set to be depended upon by the Italian on Tuesday night set

The one major question mark in the days leading up to the clash has come in the heart of defence, with Aurélien Tchouaméni and Nacho battling it out for a place alongside Antonio Rüdiger.

The latter had previously been considered the favourite, owing to both his experience and more natural fit in the role.

If the latest word stemming from the media on Monday evening is anything to go by, however, then it appears that the coaching staff in Madrid have had a change of heart.

As revealed by José Luis Sánchez of Marca and El Chiringuito TV, Tchouaméni is now firmly leading Nacho in the race to start against Man City.