Manchester City's Champions League campaign hit a snag before a ball was kicked as tonight's Group C match against Borussia Monchengladbach was postponed.
Adverse weather conditions caused the Etihad Stadium pitch to become waterlogged and therefore unplayable.
Following a pitch inspection, which was carried out around half an hour before the scheduled 7.45pm kickoff, it was decided by UEFA that the game would not go ahead.
Unfortunately we will not be witnessing any football at the Etihad Stadium tonight. Such a shame for all the home supporters and in particular the visiting fans given that they jumped over from Germany to be here. It has not yet been confirmed when the match will be played, but UEFA has previously put games on 24 hours after an abandonment. When we get that news, we'll let you know! For the time being, that's all from us. Thank you for joining us, and apologies to leave you so soon! Stay with Sports Mole to get all the latest updates.
MATCH POSTPONED! Manchester City have officially announced that tonight's game has been postponed due to adverse weather conditions. More here.
So, let's carry on as normal and we'll provide an update as soon as get it!
City have the advantage of kicking off their group stage at home (if it goes ahead) as they welcome Borussia Monchengladbach to the Etihad. Season upon season, pressure seems to be heaped on City when they enter the Champions League. Since Sheikh Mansour and his billions took over the club, the team have fulfilled the objective of winning the Premier League - twice in fact - but they are still coming up short in Europe.
We're just hearing that UEFA will hold a pitch inspection in the next five to 10 minutes. Fingers crossed! It looks very likely that kickoff will be delayed, particularly as the players have not yet come out of the dressing rooms to warm up.
GAME IN DOUBT! Oh dear, just as we were getting excited about tonight's fixture, the weather has thrown it into doubt! It is currently chucking it down at the Etihad and referee Bjorn Kuipers has just gone out to check the state of the pitch. Unfortunately, the ball didn't travel far, so we could be facing a delay or even a postponement.
It's also worth mentioning that Ilkay Gundogan could make his debut for City tonight as he is named on Pep Guardiola's bench. The 25-year-old signed for the North-West outfit from Borussia Dortmund in the summer transfer window, but has not yet featured for the club due to a dislocated knee. As for Monchengladbach, Raffael is in line to make his 50th appearance in a UEFA competition, while there is no place for Patrick Herrmann as he struggles with a groin injury.
SERGIO AGUERO'S BACK! The big news for City is that Sergio Aguero leads the line tonight after overcoming a calf injury. The striker has served one of a three-match ban, but his suspension does not affect UEFA competitions, hence why he starts tonight. The Argentine's inclusion is one of three changes to Pep Guardiola's side as Pablo Zabaleta and Jesus Navas enter the fold, replacing Bacary Sagna and Nolito. The pair are also joined on the bench by Kelechi Iheanacho, who started last weekend's Manchester derby.
BORUSSIA M'GLADBACH XI: Sommer; Christensen, Wendt, Elvedi; Strobl, Kramer, Dahoud, Johnson; Raffael, Stindl
Subs: Sippel, Vestergaard, Hazard, Traore, Hofmann, Jantschke, Korb
Subs: Sippel, Vestergaard, Hazard, Traore, Hofmann, Jantschke, Korb
MAN CITY XI: Bravo; Zabaleta, Otamendi, Stones, Kolarov; Fernandinho, De Bruyne, Silva; Sterling, Navas, Aguero
Subs: Caballero, Sagna, Sane, Gundogan, Clichy, Iheanacho, Nolito
Subs: Caballero, Sagna, Sane, Gundogan, Clichy, Iheanacho, Nolito
As for Monchengladbach, they returned to the elite tournament last season for the first time in 37 years and they managed to seal their place in it for a second time in May by finishing fourth in the Bundesliga. The German outfit comfortably reached the group stage by overcoming Young Boys in the playoff stage, but they face a different animal in Manchester City.
All eyes are on Pep Guardiola as he begins his European campaign with City. Well, technically it began in the playoff round when they overcame Steaua Bucuresti across two legs. However, now is when the Champions League begins proper. Guardiola is hugely experienced in this competition given that he won the trophy twice as Barcelona manager. He faces a different task with City, though, as they have only been Champions League regulars for the last few years.
Evening everyone! It's the beginning of the Champions League group stage and we have some juicy ties for you tonight. Among them are clashes between Barcelona and Celtic, as well as Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal. Right here, we will be focusing on the game between Manchester City and Borussia Monchengladbach at the Etihad Stadium.
