Former Manchester City midfielder Michael Brown has told manager Pep Guardiola to pick Kyle Walker as his right-back in his team’s Champions League semi-final first-leg tie against Real Madrid on Tuesday night at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Brown believes that Walker’s pace could help Man City keep the threat of Vinicius at bay.
“The first game [4-3 for Manchester City at the Etihad] was very open when they met last year, but this time, we might see City start out by trying to be tighter defensively,” Brown said in his BBC column.
“But he [Pep Guardiola] will be worried about their threat on the counter through Vinicius.
“Walker’s speed is the obvious way to deal with that, and as a natural full-back, I feel he has to be the answer there, whether Akanji is needed to cover for Ake or not.”
Vinicius has been one of Real Madrid’s best players this season, scoring 22 goals and providing 21 assists across competitions for Carlo Ancelotti’s side.
