Football
ESPN staff 8y

Cristiano Ronaldo returns to Real Madrid starting XI vs. Manchester City

Cristiano Ronaldo returned to the Real Madrid starting lineup for their Champions League semifinal second-leg tie against Manchester City at the Bernabeu on Wednesday. 

Ronaldo, who had missed Real's last three fixtures with a thigh injury, had been passed fit for the match by manager Zinedine Zidane on Tuesday and was confirmed in the starting XI just before the kick off.

In all, Zidane made three changes from the first leg. Forward Karim Benzema, who exited at half-time at the Etihad, and midfielder Casemiro were ruled out earlier in the week with injuries and were replaced by Jese and Isco. While Lucas Vazquez made way for Ronaldo.

Meanwhile, Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini made just one change to the side that faced Real last Tuesday. The injured David Silva -- out with a hamstring issue -- was replaced by Yaya Toure in midfield.

Toure had also been a doubt in the days leading up to the game but has been passed fit to return to the team.

Over the weekend, Pellegrini made eight changes from Tuesday's first leg in his side's 4-2 defeat at Southampton in the hope of having a fresh side at the Bernabeu.

Real Madrid XI: Navas, Carvajal, Ramos, Pepe, Marcelo, Kroos, Modric, Isco, Ronaldo, Jese, Bale

Manchester City XI: Hart, Sagna, Kompany, Otamendi, Clichy, Fernando, Fernandinho, Navas, Toure, De Bruyne, Aguero

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