It's take two! It might feel like deja vu, but we are back at the Etihad Stadium for the
Champions League Group C meeting between
Manchester City and
Borussia Monchengladbach. Everything was in place last night, but there was no play and the teams didn't even come out to warm up. That was because the heavens opened up in Manchester and the contest was postponed.
The torrential rain that descended onto the North-West city caused the pitch to be unplayable. The referees carried out an inspection, and it quickly became clear that the match would have to be called off due to the ball failing to travel with ease.
This was the scene last night...
Thankfully, the pitch is in a much better state now! There are other Champions League fixtures taking place tonight, with Juventus, Real Madrid and Tottenham Hotspur in action. Also, Leicester City will make their competition debut as they face Club Brugge in Belgium.
Right, before we go any further, let's bring you the lineups for both sides...
MAN CITY XI: Bravo; Zabaleta, Otamendi, Stones, Kolarov; Fernandinho, Gundogan; De Bruyne, Sterling, Navas; Aguero
Subs: Caballero, Sagna, Nolito, Sane, Clichy, Iheanacho, Angelino
GLADBACH XI: Sommer; Christensen, Wendt, Elvedi; Strobl, Kramer, Dahoud, Johnson; Raffael, Stindl
Subs: Sippel, Vestergaard, Hazard, Traore, Hofmann, Jantschke, Korb
GUNDOGAN HANDED DEBUT!
Pep Guardiola has handed Ilkay Gundogan, who signed from Borussia Dortmund in the summer, his full debut tonight. Interestingly, the midfielder was named on the bench for the initial tie on Tuesday, but tonight he replaces David Silva, who is not in the squad at all. The club's official Twitter page has said that the Spaniard has been left out as a "precautionary measure".
Elsewhere on the pitch, Pablo Zabaleta, Jesus Navas and
Sergio Aguero have come into the fold after missing out last weekend's Manchester derby. Aguero missed the international break with Argentina because of a calf problem and despite being in the middle of a three-match ban, the striker is eligible to play in the Champions League. The players to drop to the bench are Bacary Sagna, Nolito and
Kelechi Iheanacho. As for Gladbach, Schubert has named the same XI that he selected last night, meaning that Raffael makes his 50th UEFA appearance.
So, City have the advantage of kicking off their group stage at home 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.
The club's best chance of success in the elite tournament was last season when they reached the semi-finals under former manager Manuel Pellegrini, but they were beaten by eventual champions Real Madrid. Not only were they beaten, but in truth, they never really got going in the showdown. The team faced criticism for not stepping up to the plate, but it's safe to say that Guardiola will not allow that to happen!
It has always been clear that Guardiola puts the Champions League near the top of his priorities, and on numerous occasions the Spaniard has described the competition as "beautiful". As a player, Guardiola won the tournament with Barcelona in the 1991-92 season, but as a manager he has gone one better by winning it twice with the Catalan giants. The first victory came in the 2008-09 season when he guided Barcelona to a 2-0 victory over Manchester United at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome. The second win was also against Manchester United, and this time, the Spanish side sealed a 3-1 triumph at Wembley.
Last month, Guardiola spoke of the importance of the Champions League for City this season, telling reporters: "Of course it is also convincing the players how important it is to play in the Champions League, how beautiful it is to play during the season in Europe. We are going to try to do that."
City are heading into this tournament in great form having won all of their six games this season so far, including a playoff tie against Bucuresti. The first leg away ended in a thumping victory for Guardiola and his men as they romped to a 5-0 victory. David Silva and Nolito got on the scoresheet, while Sergio Aguero nabbed a hat-trick. In the return leg, it was not quite a goalfest, but City did seal the win thanks to a Fabian Delph goal.
Away from this tournament, the North-West outfit have started the Guardiola era well having won all four of their Premier League games so far. Their opening match resulted in a 2-1 victory over Sunderland, but they were given a slice of luck when Paddy McNair scored an own goal in the 87th minute. Next up was a visit to Stoke City, where the team ran riot in a 4-1 triumph. Aguero and Nolito were the scorers as they both found the back of the net twice.
City returned to the Etihad a week later to face West Ham United, and this time Raheem Sterling struck twice, while Fernandinho also scored. After the international break, all attention turned to the Manchester derby where Guardiola and Jose Mourinho went head to head for the first time since the pair took over at their respective clubs. The pair had quite a fiery relationship in Spain, and it is Guardiola who has the upper hand in the Premier League following last weekend's result.
City were slight underdogs heading into the clash given that it was staged at Old Trafford, but in a dominant first half, Kevin De Bruyne put the blue half of Manchester ahead, while Kelechi Iheanacho doubled City's lead. Zlatan Ibrahimovic managed to pull one back for United, but City held out to claim the derby win.
City were the better side on the day, but they had some shaky moments, mainly with goalkeeper Claudio Bravo. The Chile international arrived at the Etihad Stadium a few weeks ago and was thrown in at the deep end at the weekend. Guardiola dropped Joe Hart - now on loan at Torino - because he wanted more of a ball-playing goalkeeper but Bravo looked a little uncertain in between the sticks. He fumbled a simple cross into the box, which led to Ibrahimovic's goal, and he was lucky to get away with a red card when he lunged in on Wayne Rooney - a tackle that could have resulted in a penalty. Despite his errors, Guardiola seemed to be impressed, but I think even he will be hoping for a better performance tonight.
DID YOU KNOW? Guardiola has never failed to reach the final four of the Champions League in his past seven seasons. No pressure then! The Spaniard ended his three-year spell in charge of Bayern Munich without the European trophy. He came close, but it was not to be, and that will be in the back of his mind when he guides City into this campaign.
As mentioned, Aguero is back in the lineup tonight and even though he has scored six goals in all competitions so far this season, the Argentine has not found the back of the net in his last five Champions League games (excluding playoffs), which is his longest drought since going five matches without scoring between November 2011 and October 2012.
In his pre-match press conference, Guardiola insisted that his players need to improve, despite their 100% win record.
He told reporters: "We have big, big targets in the Champions League. We are far to compete from the best teams in Europe. We have to improve a lot of things. We're first in the Premier League but the way we have played until now, it will be not enough to win the Premier League so you have to improve.
"Gladbach are a brave team, one of the best teams in Europe right now. They have a lot of quality. The draw was difficult for us. They beat me many times [two of the last four meetings, the other two were draws] and they are aggressive. They make the game one-on-one in the build-up and when that happens it is a fight, man to man. With the ball they are so, so intelligent."
So, let's switch our attention to Gladbach, shall we? The German outfit head into the match having won four of their five Bundesliga matches. Their winning run came to an end last weekend when they suffered a 3-1 defeat to Freiburg. Prior to that match, Andre Hahn scored in each league game for Gladbach, and he could be a threat for them this evening.
Last season in the Bundesliga, the team had a poor time on the road having secured just four victories in 17 fixtures, and in total picked up just 15 points from away from home. They have started the Champions League well, though, as they managed to overcome Young Boys 9-2 on aggregate in the playoff round.
STATS! Gladbach had a disappointing run in the tournament last season as they earned just one point - a goalless draw with Juventus - in the group stage. They suffered defeats to Sevilla and City (more of that later) in their remaining matches. The German club have only secured victory once against English opposition and that was a 3-2 win over Arsenal in the first round of the 1996-97 UEFA Cup. Overall, their record against English clubs is one win, two draws and three defeats.
Gladbach are the underdogs heading into this match, and earlier this week, Schubert told reporters: "We want to be courageous and brave, we always go into games feeling we are up for it, and up for a victory, rather than feeling we are going to lose. It will take a lot of courage - we need to push ourselves all the way as we are up against a very strong team.
"We weren't good enough on Saturday but that has little to do with tomorrow's game. City are favourites. Their results speak for themselves. They have a very good chance [of winning the competition]. They are trying to soften expectations but are one of the best teams in the world, have spent a lot of money and have one of the best coaches in the world on the bench."
HEAD TO HEAD: The two clubs played one another in the Champions League group stage last season, and City won both. Their first meeting ended in a 2-1 scoreline, with Lars Stindl opening the scoring. Joe Hart managed to save a penalty from Raffael and his team went on to win thanks to goals from Martin Demichelis and Aguero. The second meeting was an exciting 4-2 win for City, with Silva, Sterling and Wilfried Bony scoring.
Both teams have made their way out onto the pitch - a surface that is thankfully up to standard tonight. The traditional Champions League tune has been met with boos from the City fans, much like they did last season. Once the obligatory handshakes are over, we will be ready to go!
KICKOFF! Gladbach get us underway! Bjorn Kuipers is the referee this evening.
The ball is played long towards Navas on the right-hand side, but it's just bobbling away frim him. Strobl manages to get to it first and head it out for a City throw-in.
The visitors string some passes together in the middle of the park and it ends up with Wendt on the flank. He sends the ball forward trying to play in Hahn, but it's too far for the forward to reach.
City seem happy just to keep hold of the ball in these early stages without really threatening the oppositions goal. It's a calm start from Guardiola's side. As for Gladbach, they have been guilty of a few stray passes in the last couple of minutes.
City get the first corner of the game and it's taken by De Bruyne, who whips it into the box looking for Stones, but Christensen does well to head the ball clear.
At the other end, Wendt surges down the left-hand side and gets into the final third, but Fernandinho puts in a well-timed tackle to end Gladbach's attack.
GOAL! MAN CITY 1-0 GLADBACH (AGUERO)
City take the lead and it's their main man Aguero who does the job! The goal was created by Kolarov, who delivered a low cross into the box and found Aguero, who stabbed it home from six yards out. Perfect start for the hosts!
Gundogan goes long as he tries to play the ball over the top for Navas, but the flag goes up for offside.
SAVE! City come close to a second and a debut goal for Gundogan! De Bruyne squares the ball to Aguero in the box, who is in acres of space. The Argentine then switches to his left to play in Gundogan, but the midfielder's strike towards the bottom right corner is stopped by the keeper.
PENALTY DENIED! Aguero is yelling for a penalty but the referee waves away his claims. The ball is delivered into the box by De Bruyne, aiming for the Argentine, who grapples with Strobl in the box. Replays show that the defender did have hold of Aguero's shirt, but nothing given.
Fernandinho goes for glory from a central position in the final third, but his attempt goes wide of the target. Gladbach have some work to do if they want to quieten their opponents.
Gladbach get a glimpse of an attack when the ball is played forward for Hahn on the right-hand side. The forward tries to chase is down, but Otamendi tackles well to thwart any potential danger.
Sterling uses his pace to get into the final third. He edges into the box before squaring it across to the oncoming Aguero, but Kramer gets there first to put the ball out for a corner, which comes to nothing for City.
Johnson does well to pick out Hahn on the edge of the area, but Zabaleta scrambles it away. City then break with De Bruyne and the ball ends up at Sterling's feet. The Englishman charges into the box and goes for goal, but it's blocked.
City could be up by two or three goals by now, but they've just given away a cheap corner. The ball is hoofed up top and Zabaleta deals with it by sending it out for a corner rather than calmly giving it to his keeper. Gladbach get two quick corners, but both are dealt with by City.
Oh dear, potential bad news for Aguero as he seeks treatment on his right knee. The Argentine took a knock from Elvedi. He doesn't look too comfortable, but he's on his feet at least.
He's back on the pitch! At the moment, he's limping slightly but he'll try to shake it off.
Wendt picks up the ball in acres of space on the outside of the box. He drives into the area and drills is low across to Dahoud, but his strike gets blocked by Stones.
PENALTY TO MAN CITY!
GOAL! MAN CITY 2-0 GLADBACH (AGUERO)
City double their lead after being awarded a penalty. Gundogan got his heels clipped just inside the line and the referee points to the spot. Aguero steps up and scores his second by sending the keeper the wrong way and nestling the ball into the bottom right corner.
City are running riot now. Even Kolarov wants to get in on the goalscoring action! The ball is threaded through to the full-back on the edge of the area. He loses his footing but finds Sterling, who goes for goal from inside the area, but it's saved. Even if he had scored it wouldn't have counted because the offside flag was up.
Wendt comes close to causing some trouble, but Otamendi and Zabaleta throw their bodies on the line to block him.
GLADBACH SUB: There's a change for the visitors as Korb comes on for Kramer, who seems to have suffered a knock.
SAVE! Bravo is called into the action late in the half as Stindl unleashes a strike, but the City man saves at his near post.
HALF-TIME: MAN CITY 2-0 GLADBACH
City enter the half-time break two goals to the good. It has been a dominant display by Pep Guardiola's men so far, with Sergio Aguero netting both goals. The first came in the ninth minute and the second was struck from the penalty spot after Ilkay Gundogan was clipped in the box. Gladbach's chances have been few and far between, but they did force a save from Claudio Bravo at the end of the half. We'll return for the second half shortly!
RESTART! City get us underway at the Etihad! Can Gladbach get back into it or will the hosts add to their tally?
Hahn nicks the ball off Zabaleta as the full-back falls down, but his attempt at goal is weak as it's comfortably picked up by Bravo.
BOOKING! Otamendi receives a yellow card after bringing down Raffael. The defender isn't happy with the booking, but he can't really complain.
CHANCE! How did City not score there?! What a comedy of errors! Sommer makes a blunder when a save at his near post is pushed back straight into Sterling's path. The England international pulls it back to Aguero, who goes for goal, but Sommer gets back to his feet to make a one-handed save.
City are on the attack again and Sterling has the ball out wide on the left. He cuts inside into the box, but he is dispossessed and Gladbach win the ball.
Sterling charges down the left-hand side and gets close to the byline before delivering a cross into the box. It reaches Navas, but his shot is blocked. Seconds later, Otamendi goes for glory from distance, but his shot rises high above the crossbar.
GLADBACH SUB: The visitors make their second change of the night as Hazard comes on for Hahn.
City are knocking the ball around plenty and it ends up at De Bruyne's feet. The Belgian unleashes a shot from 22 yards out, but it goes straight at Sommer.
Sterling and De Bruyne link up down the left before the Belgian delivers a low cross into the box, but it's comfortable for Sommer to collect.
Zabaleta produces a long-range shot trying to test the keeper, but his volley misses the target. Not very composed there!
Fernandinho storms down the field to reach the penalty area, but his teammates are slow to catch up. Once they do, Aguero and Navas get involved but the move breaks down.
City get a free kick 30 yards from goal after a counter-attack from the hosts. Kolarov lines up to take it, but his effort flies over the bar.
MISS! Oh my, what a wasted chance for Sterling! The former Liverpool man goes one on one with the keeper after getting on the end of De Bruyne's pass, but as he attempts to nutmeg Sommer, the ball ends up coming off the keeper's leg and bobbling just wide of the post.
We're approaching the 75th-minute mark and it looks as though City have taken their foot off the gas slightly. Gladbach are not producing any threat and in truth, it looks a bit like a friendly at the moment!
GOAL! MAN CITY 3-0 GLADBACH (AGUERO)
He gets his hat-trick! Aguero may be banned domestically, but that is not letting that affect him as he scores the third goal of the evening. Sterling plays in the Argentine, who dummies the keeper before going around him and rolling it into the back of the net.
MAN CITY SUB: Sterling goes off the pitch to a round of applause. Sane comes on to replace him.
MAN CITY, GLADBACH SUBS: Change for both clubs as Traore comes on for Stindl and the hosts bring on Clichy, who replaces Gundogan.
MAN CITY SUB: Another round of applause from he crowd as Aguero makes way for Iheanacho.
The game is just plodding along now as City are set to wrap up all three points. Kolarov goes for goal again, but it's an easy stop from Sommer.
GOAL! MAN CITY 4-0 GLADBACH (IHEANACHO)
Iheanacho rounds off the win with a strike of his own! Sane gets away from his marker and picks out the substitute from the byline. The forward slams the ball past the keeper and into the net.
FULL-TIME: MAN CITY 4-0 GLADBACH
It's all over at the Etihad and it was a very comfortable win for Pep Guardiola's side. Sergio Aguero netted a hat-trick, while Kelechi Iheanacho rounded it off with a late goal of his own. In the end, City were in cruise control, while Gladbach failed to pose a serious threat. As it stands in Group C, Barcelona and City both have three points, but Gladbach and Celtic are yet to get off the mark. Thank you for joining us, and until next time, goodbye!