Manchester City have made a swashbuckling start to the season as they have brushed aside any concerns regarding the team. They score goals for fun and then defend in packs to avoid any late drama.
The sheer pace and creativity in their style of play is a delight to watch for any neutral. They got off to a flying start in the European campaign too as they eased past Feyenoord with four goals to no reply. This must have boosted their confidence too as the fans at Etihad expect the team to compete in all the competitions.
If they want to mark their name as one of Europe’s topmost clubs, City will have to maintain their good form against Shakhtar Donetsk too. Let us see if Guardiola will make any changes to his winning side:
Formation: 3-4-2-1
GK: Éderson
A good shot-stopper who is also pretty accurate with his distribution; exactly the keeper Pep wanted. Should start ahead of Bravo.
CB: John Stones
Vincent Kompany’s absence has helped Stones to regularly start the game. He has been rock-solid at the back and has regularly featured in the attacks too.
CB: Nicolas Otamendi
Otamendi’s performances have improved over the past couple of weeks which has helped City to a huge extent. He has been disciplined while tackling and can often be seen shifting to the midfield to churn out some key passes forward.
CB: Eliaquim Mangala
Mangala will get some much-needed playing time in this match. He will be looking to put in a commanding performance to feature more regularly in the starting XI.
RWB: Kyle Walker
Kyle Walker has continued from where he left at Tottenham. The fullback makes some marauding runs through the flanks and sends in numerous crosses into the box to create chances.
LWB: Danilo
Benjamin Mendy suffered an injury scare against Crystal Palace after he hurt his knee and hence Danilo came in his place early in the first half. The Brazilian should do well to make the most of this opportunity again tomorrow.
CM: Yaya Toure
Yaya Toure deserves some game time and there won’t be a better game than this one. The Ivorian starred in City’s match against West Brom in the League Cup and did well enough to at least start in this game.
CM: Bernardo Silva
The Portuguese international has been slowly finding his feet in City’s lineup. David Silva’s presence means that he does not start regularly in the League but this fixture gives Guardiola a chance to hand Silva a starting spot and see how this goes through. It will also provide David Silva a breather.
AM: Kevin de Bruyne
Kevin de Bruyne remains the focal point for all of City’s attacking moves as his creativity helps City see a number of chances. His wonderful cross into the box as well as the constant through balls usually split opposition’s defences. He should do well to improve his goalscoring records to make City even more relentless.
AM: Leroy Sane
Sane has regularly come off the bench and made instant impacts in the match. The attacking midfielder/winger has a good opportunity to make his mark in the European competition as Guardiola might leave out Sergio Aguero as the latter has been played almost all the matches recently.
ST: Gabriel Jesus
Jesus has been unstoppable since moving to the Etihad in January this season. His eye in front of the goal as well as his movement inside the box is amazing. His aerial ability is commendable and makes it a point to leave an impact on the pitch every time.
