SM
Ipswich vs. Man United: 14 hrs 52 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
MC
Champions League | Group Stage
Oct 1, 2019 at 8pm UK
 
DZ

2-0

Sterling (66'), Foden (95')
FT(HT: 0-0)

City boss Pep Guardiola warns of "aggressive" Dinamo Zagreb side

:Headline: City boss Pep Guardiola warns of 'aggressive' Dinamo Zagreb side: ID:373429: from db_amp
The Croatian champions top Group C courtesy of their 4-0 mauling of Atalanta.

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has warned his free-scoring side not to underestimate the threat posed by Dinamo Zagreb as the Champions League returns to the Etihad Stadium this week.

City go into Tuesday's clash in fine form, having won their four matches since the shock Premier League defeat at Norwich by a combined 17-1 scoreline.

Guardiola's men already have three points on the board in Group C following their 3-0 away win over Shakhtar Donetsk, but it is Dinamo who top the pool courtesy of their 4-0 mauling of Atalanta.

Manchester City have been in fine goalscoring form since losing to Norwich (Peter Byrne/PA)

And Guardiola insists his side cannot afford to take the Croatian champions lightly in their first home European encounter since April's heartbreaking quarter-final exit at the hands of Tottenham.

He told a press conference: "To play five at the back and score four goals (against Atalanta) is not bad.

"They are aggressive and with long balls to the strikers, they are so strong. We have to be careful."

Manchester City's last home Champions League match saw them knocked out of the 2018/19 season's competition by Tottenham (Martin Rickett/PA)

While City have had few problems showing their formidable firepower up front once again this season, things have not been so straightforward for them at the other end of the pitch.

The Premier League champions have lost defenders John Stones and Aymeric Laporte to injury and, with captain Vincent Kompany leaving in the summer, Guardiola has been forced to employ midfielder Fernandinho at centre-back.

The Brazil international is now 34, but Guardiola played down concerns over his ability to cope with a high workload.

Midfielder Fernandinho has been employed in defence due to injuries (Peter Byrne/PA)

"If he is fit he can play (twice a week). It depends on him in terms of physical regeneration," Guardiola said.

"We have young alternatives but he has played three games in the past."

The City manager also praised the form of winger Riyad Mahrez, who has scored three goals in his last four appearances.

"He is so important. Always the players here we want (at their) best,"
Guardiola said. "He is so clinical. Defensively his commitment is higher this season and offensively you always have the feeling something is going to happen."

amp_article__373429 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2019-09-30 14:35:21:
html db last update - 2019-09-30 14:35:21 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Pep Guardiola

Click here for more stories about Manchester City

Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool119112161528
2Manchester CityMan City127232217523
3Chelsea126422314922
4Arsenal126422112922
5Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton126422116522
6Tottenham HotspurSpurs1261527131419
7Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest125431513219
8Aston Villa125431919019
9Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
10Fulham125341717018
11Brentford125252222017
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd114341212015
13Bournemouth124351617-115
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Everton122551017-711
16Leicester CityLeicester122461523-810
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves122372028-89
18Crystal Palace121561017-78
19Ipswich TownIpswich111551222-108
20Southampton11119721-144
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .