Build‑up

Preview

Data Analysis

Team News

Lineups

Live Text Updates

Match Report

Reaction

 

Sports Mole takes an in-depth look at how Manchester City could line up for Wednesday's Champions League clash with Red Star Belgrade.

Manchester City will be without Erling Haaland and Jeremy Doku for Wednesday's trip to Red Star Belgrade in the Champions League group stage.

Both Haaland and Doku missed City's 2-1 win at Luton Town in the Premier League on Sunday, with the former absent due to a "bone stress reaction" in his foot according to manager Pep Guardiola.

The Citizens boss has since revealed that Haaland is due to return to training on Thursday ahead of Saturday's Premier League clash with Crystal Palace, but Doku is set for one or two weeks on the sidelines as he continues to recover from a muscle problem; Kevin De Bruyne, meanwhile, remains out with a long-term hamstring injury.

Considering that Man City have already qualified for the Champions League last 16 as Group G winners, Guardiola may look to rotate his side on Wednesday, potentially starting with the goalkeeper as Stefan Ortega looks to replace Ederson between the sticks.

Sergio Gomez was handed a start in the reverse fixture against Red Star in September, and the left-back could be named in the first XI on Wednesday, while Manuel Akanji, John Stones and Rico Lewis could also be recalled in defence after beginning as substitutes against Luton.

Man City have lost each of their last four games without the presence of lynchpin Rodri, but Guardiola will be tempted to rest the star midfielder against Red Star, meaning that Kalvin Phillips could be handed a rare start in the engine room if Akanji, Stones and Lewis all operate in defence, as opposed to midfield where they all have played in previous games this season.

Mateo Kovacic and Matheus Nunes are two more midfielders in contention to start, and the latter could take up an advanced role in the final third at the expense of Phil Foden or Bernardo Silva.

The absence of Haaland is set to see Julian Alvarez or Oscar Bobb lead the line, while Jack Grealish, who scored the winner against Luton, will likely continue on the left flank.

Manchester City possible starting lineup: Ortega; Lewis, Stones, Akanji, Gomez; Phillips, Kovacic; Bobb, Nunes, Grealish; Alvarez body check tags ::

amp_article__531125 : Collect and Make Data not in DataBase  : 

last updated article - 2023-12-12 23:00:22: 

html db last update  - 2023-12-12 23:00:22 : 


ex  - 7200 : read : write cache and make html