Manchester City have gone for a back five once again as they bid to get out of trouble in Europe.

With the English champions facing the exit, they have to win tonight to have any realistic chance of escaping from the group, and Mancini has gone for a controversial formation to get the job done, with Maicon and Aleksandr Kolarov starting as wing-backs. Sergio Aguero starts up front, partnered by Edin Dzeko, who makes a rare start.

Real Madrid, meanwhile, have gone for an expected 4-2-3-1, with Karim Benzema leading the line and Luka Modric preferred in the hole. Coentrao is chosen at left-back.

Manchester City (5-3-2): Joe Hart; Maicon, Pablo Zabaleta, Vincent Kompany (C), Matija Nastasic, Aleksandr Kolarov; Yaya Toure, David Silva, Samir Nasri; Edin Dzeko, Sergio Aguero.

Real Madrid (4-2-3-1): Iker Casillas; Alvaro Arbeloa, Pepe, Sergio Ramos, Fabio Coentrao; Sami Khedira, Xabi Alonso; Luka Modric, Angel Di Maria, Cristiano Ronaldo; Karim Benzema.