"Vini must be fuming", "Looking like Madrid's funeral" - Fans react as Manchester City star returns to starting XI for UCL Q/F clash vs Real Madrid
Kyle Walker will return to action in Manchester City's crucial UEFA Champions League encounter with Real Madrid tonight (April 17). The English defender starts at right-back after spending a spell on the sidelines.
The 33-year-old has been absent with a hamstring injury he picked up while on international duty with England on March 23. He's sat out five games across competitions including a 3-3 draw with tonight's opponents.
That enthralling draw has the two European giants level in their Champions League quarterfinal tie. The second leg tonight at the Etihad will determine which of the two competition's favorites advances to the semifinals.
Walker was vital for Manchester City last season when Pep Guardiola's men prevailed against Real Madrid. They packed the record holders with a 5-1 aggregate win in the semifinals.
The veteran right-back managed to keep Vinicius Junior quiet as the pair tussled on the wing. He may have to do it again tonight with the Brazilian superstar in red-hot form.
Ederson starts in goal after missing the first leg through injury.
Walker lines up in defense alongside Manuel Akanji, Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol.
Rodri and Bernardo Silva are joined in midfield by Kevin De Bruyne. The Belgian playmaker missed the first leg against Real Madrid due to illness.
Erling Haaland leads the line alongside the in-form Phil Foden and his English compatriot Jack Grealish.
Manchester City fans are thrilled to have Walker available and one fan thinks Vinicius will be annoyed:
"Kyle Walker is back??? Vini must be fuming lol."
Another fan tipped Walker to captain City to a dominant victory:
"S**t is looking like Madrid's funeral."
Here's how other fans on X (formerly Twitter) reacted to Walker's return to City's starting XI against Real Madrid:
"He is back," one fan posted with a snap of Walker celebrating.
"Kyle Walker is back to pocket Vinicius Jr, Real Madrid's daddy," another fan opined.
"Kyle Walker please turn up today," one fan urged the Englishman.
Real Madrid fans gave mixed responses:
"Kyle Walker is horrendous, Vini will feast," one fan insisted.
"Kyle Walker will probably play so we have to abuse the right side. Need a big game from Valverde and Carvajal today," another fan suggested.
Bernardo Silva stressed Kyle Walker's importance ahead of Manchester City's clash with Real Madrid
Walker's return from injury buoyed his manager and teammates heading into tonight's game. Silva hailed his captain's return and alluded to his past record against Vinicius (via The Evening Standard):
"Obviously big to have him back, he's our captain. He had played against Vinicius, [Kylian] Mbappe and Neymar, and he knows how to defend against them like no other.”
The Cityzens full-back has faced Vinicius five times across competitions and the pair have staged a hard-fought battle. They share two wins each with their clubs having knocked each other out of the last two Champions League knockout stages.
Vinicius named Walker has one of the toughest opponents he's faced during his career. Their battle tonight could be instrumental in deciding who prevails in the quarterfinal tonight.