Kyle Walker will be making his comeback for Manchester City in the Champions League semi-final second leg against Real Madrid on Wednesday. He was sidelined for the past five games due to a hamstring injury sustained while on international duty.
Walker participated fully in City’s last training session before they face Real Madrid in the second leg of their quarter-final tie at the Etihad Stadium. The aggregate score stands at 3-3.
Manager Pep Guardiola stated: “He has been training well. I am unsure if he will start or come off the bench, but I believe he will be available for us tomorrow.
“This is fantastic news for various reasons. Physicality is crucial, and in football, it is about how you challenge your opponent. Kyle’s quality is well-known by everyone.”
Guardiola, who has a history of rivalry with Real Madrid from his time at Barcelona, emphasized the significance of facing the Spanish giants.
“Real Madrid is always a significant opponent in this competition. It holds a special place for me as a player and manager, but personal history does not matter. What matters is what we need to do to secure a victory tomorrow.
“I do not fear them, but I have immense respect for them.”
Walker did not travel to Spain for the first leg but was on the bench for the 5-1 win against Luton. Teammate Bernardo Silva is looking forward to the potential return of the City captain.
Silva commented: “His presence is crucial because Kyle has successfully marked some of the best players globally and consistently performs exceptionally well. As our captain, he has faced the likes of Vinicius, Mbappe, and Neymar, defending against them like no other.”