Champions League holders Manchester City will be aiming to bounce back from successive domestic defeats when they travel to Germany for a group-stage clash with RB Leipzig on Wednesday night.
The Sky Blues were dumped out of the Carabao Cup by Newcastle United last week before losing their first Premier League game of the season against Wolves at Molineux. The 2-1 defeat to Wolves ended the Pep Guardiola-managed side’s perfect start to the new Premier League season.
The Cityzens, who beat Crvena Zvezda 3-1 on matchday one, cannot ill-afford another loss if they wish to return to winning ways against an in-form RB Leipzig side.
Manchester City Team News
Kevin De Bruyne (hamstring) remains sidelined but John Stones and Bernardo Silva were pictured back in training.
Rodri will be involved as his 3-game domestic ban will not apply in Europe.
Predicted Man City lineup vs RB Leipzig (4-3-3)
Goalkeeper
Ederson is Man City’s undisputed No.1 and should start against RB Leipzig. He will be raring to shut up shop as quickly as possible in Germany.
Defence
Following back-to-back domestic defeats, Guardiola may be tempted to make a few changes to his first XI on Wednesday. Starting from the back, he could bring in Josko Gvardiol for Nathan Ake at left-back in the Man City lineup, with Ruben Dias and Manuel Akanji forming the centre-back pairing.
Meanwhile, Kyle Walker is an obvious pick at right-back.
The City defence have to be focused and disciplined throughout the game to keep an in-form Leipzig side away from scoring in midweek.
Midfield
Rodri is currently serving a three-game domestic ban but he is eligible to play in Europe. The Spaniard is certain to return to the man City lineup and partner Mateo Kovacic in City’s engine room against the German side.
The duo of Rodri and Kovacic will look to dictate the flow of the game and force the hosts onto the back foot. Starting in the no.10 role will be Julian Alvarez, who scored a fantastic free-kick in City’s 2-1 defeat to Wolves at the weekend. The Argentinean has enjoyed a consistent run of games this season owing to De Bruyne’s long-term injury and looks primed to keep his place in the Man City lineup.
Attack
Leading the City attack will be none other than Erling Haaland, who scored five goals against Leipzig in last season’s round-of-16 tie. Having failed to score against Wolves, the Norwegian will be desperate to get himself on the scoresheet and haunt Leipzig again.
Phil Foden and Jeremy Doku will flank Haaland in the Man City lineup, with the duo hoping to use their guile, creativity and pace to carve open the Leipzig backline. Jack Grealish, Matheus Nunes and Kalvin Phillips could come on in the second half depending on the situation of the game.