Explained: Why Kevin De Bruyne is only on the bench for Man City's Champions League quarter-final tie with Real Madrid

De Bruyne was a notable omission from Manchester City's starting XI for Tuesday's Champions League quarter-final first leg against Real Madrid. Guardiola has made four changes to his starting XI for the match with Manuel Akanji, Bernardo Silva, Phil Foden and Mateo Kovacic all coming back into the team.

Guardiola offered an update on the midfielder before kick-off to TNT Sports. "He feels unwell. I don't know [if he can play some part]. We had a meeting and he was ready and when he arrived he said he felt unwell and said he wasn't ready."

De Bruyne's illness will be a blow for City as he remains an integral player for Guardiola's team and scored twice and bagged an assist last time out against Palace. The Belgian is not the only key player missing the tie for the visitors, with Kyle Walker and Nathan Ake both ruled out through injury.

Manchester City will hope to take a good result home from the Bernabeu ahead of the second leg at the Etihad next week. Before that game, they will resume their Premier League title push on Saturday at home to Luton Town.