M anchester City could not be in better shape for tonight’s Champions League semi-final second-leg showdown with Paris Saint-Germain ....
anchester City could not be in better shape for tonight’s Champions League semi-final second-leg showdown with Paris Saint-Germain.
Pep Guardiola’s Premier League champions-elect and Carabao Cup winners head into the tie at Etihad Stadium boasting a 2-1 advantage courtesy of last week’s fightback in the French capital.
City recovered from PSG captain Marquinhos’ early header with an excellent second-half display that included crucial away goals from Kevin De Bruyne and Riyad Mahrez, giving fans real hope that a first ever Champions League final appearance now beckons.
With the Premier League title all but sewn up, Guardiola was able to make eight changes for Saturday’s 2-0 win at Crystal Palace, with only goalkeeper Ederson, defender Joao Cancelo and midfielder Rodrigo retaining their starting berths from midweek.
De Bruyne, Mahrez, Ilkay Gundogan, Bernardo Silva, Kyle Walker, Ruben Dias and Phil Foden were all rested and John Stones suspended, with Oleksandr Zinchenko City’s only used substitute at Selhurst Park.
It is easy therefore to see Guardiola utilising the same starting XI - without a recognised centre-forward - on Tuesday evening as the one that began the game in Paris last Wednesday.
Centre-back Eric Garcia is the only City player ruled out, with the soon-to-be out-of-contract defender suffering from illness.
“He’s been sick with a fever and couldn’t travel to Crystal Palace and still isn’t ready. The rest are OK,” Guardiola said at Monday’s pre-match press conference.
Man City predicted XI (4-3-3): Ederson; Walker, Stones, Dias, Cancelo; Bernardo, Rodri, Gundogan; Mahrez, De Bruyne, Foden.
Man City provisional squad: Ederson, Steffen, Trafford, Walker, Cancelo, Stones, Dias, Laporte, Ake, Zinchenko, Mendy, Fernandinho, Rodri, Gunodgan, De Bruyne, Silva, Foden, Torres, Mahrez, Sterling, Aguero, Jesus.
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