Man City face Champions League defensive crisis amid Benjamin Mendy suspension

Manchester City defender Benjamin Mendy will miss the second-leg of the Champions League last 16 clash against Real Madrid due to suspension.

And Pep Guardiola faces a potential defensive headache for the Etihad showdown after also losing Aymeric Laporte in the first-leg to injury.

The Premier League champions rallied to come from a goal down to claim an impressive 2-1 win over Los Blancos at the Bernabeu.

Isco had given the home side a second-half advantage but late goals from Gabriel Jesus and Kevin de Bruyne mean City have control of the tie.

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The only dampener on what was an historic night in Madrid was the loss of both Mendy and more worryingly, Laporte.

Mendy collected yellow cards in both group stage games against Atalanta meaning he was one just booking away from serving a one-game suspension.

And it took less than 30 minutes for the Frenchman to go into the book, receiving a yellow for a clumsy challenge on Madrid midfielder Luka Modric.

His booking means he won't be available for a selection in the second-leg.

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Oleksandr Zinchenko is the most likely to replace the former Monaco man on the left side of defence but has failed to impress after returning from injury, receiving a red card in the defeat to Tottenham.

Joao Cancelo could also fill in, although he has failed to nail down a regular spot in his favoured position at right-back since joining City in the summer.

Laporte, meanwhile, could now be a doubt for Sunday's Carabao Cup final against Aston Villa as City await news of his latest injury blow.

The French centre-back was making only his fourth appearance since recovering from a serious knee injury – and is yet to complete a full 90 minutes following his return.

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He has been City’s most consistent defender since he joined from Athletic Bilbao and the team have struggled in his absence.

Medical staff attended to the 25-year-old, and at one stage approached him with a stretcher, before Laporte rose to his feet and hobbled off the field.

Guardiola sounded hopeful after the game that the injury was not too bad, however.

"After five months injured in this scenario it's so demanding,” said the Spaniard.

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