Pep Guardiola will tonight continue to rotate his Manchester City squad in preparation for their Champions League showdown with Real Madrid.
The Catalan revealed his frustration after an FA Cup semi-final defeat to Arsenal robbed him of a chance to keep minds focused ahead of their round of 16 second leg clash with Zinedine Zidane’s side.
He believed a final would be ideal preparation – but now has two meaningless Premier League games in which to get his team ready.
Guardiola has made changes from Saturday’s team that lost at Wembley when City take on Watford on Tuesday.
Phil Foden and Rodri start as well as Joao Cancelo.
Guardiola said: “These two games – we are going to make some changes. Some played the semi final are not going to play. We are going to play the next two games and I’ll try to let them all play - but we will see what happens.
“We are going in a specific way to play against Real Madrid. We are going to try to maintain our rhythm. We are going to remember what Madrid is, see the games they’ve played since lockdown.
“We are going to see the way they play and prepare for the games, a little bit more time gives an advantage.”
Starting lineups
Man City XI: Ederson, Walker, Eric Garcia, Laporte, Joao Cancelo, De Bruyne, Rodri, Bernardo Silva, Foden, Gabriel Jesus, Sterling
Subs: Stones, Gundogan, Zinchenko, Silva, Mendy, Fernandinho, Mahrez, Otamendi, Carson
Watford XI: Foster, Mariappa, Kabasele, Dawson, Femenia, Cleverley, Doucoure, Hughes, Sarr, Deeney, Pereyra
Subs: Gomes, vWelbeck, Masina, Chalobah, Cathcart, Joao Pedro, Gray, Quina, Pussetto
Referee: Michael Oliver
