Sports Mole takes an in-depth look at how Manchester City could line up for Wednesday’s Champions League clash with RB Leipzig.
Manchester City will be able to welcome back Rodri for Wednesday’s Champions League group-stage clash against RB Leipzig in Germany.
The Spanish midfielder is currently serving a three-game domestic suspension but he is available to play in Europe and is expected to return to the starting lineup to partner either Mateo Kovacic or Matheus Nunes in centre-midfield.
However, Pep Guardiola is still having to cope without injured duo Kevin De Bruyne (hamstring) and John Stones (muscle), while Bernardo Silva (leg) is doubtful and will be assessed ahead of kickoff.
Amid a busy fixture schedule and following back-to-back domestic defeats, including a 2-1 Premier League loss at Wolverhampton Wanderers last Saturday, Guardiola may be tempted to make a few changes to his first XI on Wednesday.
Josko Gvardiol, who scored for Leipzig against Man City in the Champions League last 16 last season before joining the Citizens this summer, will be hoping to force his way back into the starting lineup against his former club, and the defender could replace Nathan Ake on the left side of a back four including Ruben Dias, Manuel Akanji and Kyle Walker.
Jack Grealish is another who will push for a recall having recovered from injury, and should the attacker start on the left flank, Jeremy Doku, Phil Foden and Oscar Bobb will all battle for a start on the opposite wing.
Julian Alvarez, who scored against Wolves and netted twice in Man City’s 3-1 win over Red Star Belgrade in their Group G opener two weeks ago, is expected to continue in attack behind central striker Erling Haaland, who scored five goals against Leipzig in last season’s round-of-16 tie.
Manchester City possible starting lineup: Ederson; Walker, Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol; Rodri, Kovacic; Foden, Alvarez, Doku; Haaland
ID:525515:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect4432:No Data Analysis info