Match Preview & predicted line-up: Manchester City Vs Young Boys
Tomorrow evening, the Champions League winners take on Young Boys as they look to gain a second victory over the Swiss giants.
A win for the Blues would seal their qualification for the round of 16, which would make it the club’s 11th consecutive time getting out of the group stage.
A victory for City would mean they can focus on the League, and for the remainder of the group fixtures, important players may be rested until the knockout round.
So not only does it seal their place in the competition’s next stage, but it also eases the pressure that the busy fixture schedule will put on Guardiola’s men.
Last time out, the Blues impressed with a 3–1 away victory in Bern, with goals coming from Swiss international Manuel Akanji and a brace from Erling Haaland.
Several changes are expected ahead of the clash, with City likely having one eye on their away trip to Chelsea this coming Sunday.
As usual, predicting who Pep picks for his starting 11 is next to impossible, but here’s how I think City may shape up.
In the net is Ederson, who is one of a few fixed starters — well, before the Brighton game at home where Stefan Ortega was put in the net due to Ederson being deemed ‘not match fit’ after coming back from his duties with Brazil.
The backline would see a three in possession, with Rico Lewis drifting in and out of midfield like John Stones does famously for the Blues.
The teenager has had a good campaign in Europe so far this season and is getting the majority of his minutes in the competition, so it’s hard to see Guardiola changing this trend tomorrow.
Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol come in for Manuel Akanji and Nathan Ake, who both got on the score sheet in City’s 6–1 thrashing over Bournemouth at the weekend.
The pair both played the full 90 minutes, so both Dias and Gvardiol come in for rotation reasons.
The impressive 90 minutes from Jeremy Doku most likely place him on the subs bench in preparation for the Blues’ trip to Stamford Bridge, so Jack Grealish comes in on the left-hand side.
Grealish will look to make an impression on manager Guardiola after his left-wing-competitor Doku’s recent electric displays.
Newbie Matheus Nunes played in the away fixture in Bern, so a start is likely, especially with World Cup winner Julian Alvarez moving into the number nine spot.
Argentine Alvarez goes up top instead of goal machine Haaland, who limped off at halftime against Bournemouth on Saturday.
Though Pep Guardiola has not confirmed or denied Haaland’s place in tomorrow’s side, he has said that the team will train today, and then he will speak to the club’s doctors.
“Tomorrow I will listen to doctor. If he says he doesn’t have pain, I will consider letting him play. There are lots of days to recover. Right now, if Erling doesn’t play, Julian is going to play there.” — Pep Guardiola to the press
The Treble winner’s attack is made up of Mancunian Phil Foden, who came off the bench on Saturday and scored in the 64th minute.
Portuguese playmaker Bernardo Silva will most likely (if he plays) be around the right-hand side area of the pitch — although he does seem to cover every blade of grass on the pitch, making it hard to restrict him to just the one position.
His manager, Guardiola, gave glowing reviews of the 29-year-old on Saturday after his brace.
“He is an extraordinary player, he made two great goals. The action from the second goal looks like Messi, Messi has done that many times.Everyone is so happy to have him here.
The only noticeable absentees for tomorrow’s game are, of course, the injured Kevin De Bruyne and Spaniard Sergio Gomez, who arrived at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday in crutches after picking up an injury in training.
The fixture takes place at 8pm at the Etihad Stadium tomorrow evening, and you can follow me on X @mattjkerr for live updates throughout the game.
