The 4th Official
·31 gennaio 2025
The 4th Official
·31 gennaio 2025
Manchester City somehow managed to avoid humiliation by qualifying for the next round of the Champions League. They overpowered Club Brugge to earn a spot but their main focus will now shift towards their next big challenge.
The Citizens will travel abroad this weekend to face Arsenal in the Premier League. Pep Guardiola’s men recently beat Chelsea and will draw inspiration from that game. It will be a tough 90 minutes but an entertaining one for the fans.
Defence
Ederson had a mixed game but he should be ready to play a key role between the sticks this weekend. Matheus Nunes has settled down well as the right-back and no doubt that he is starting yet another game.
Amid multiple injuries, Pep Guardiola has no choice but to pair up John Stones with Manuel Akanji at the heart of the defence again. Left-back Josko Gvardiol had a brilliant game and a similar sort of performance will be expected from him.
MADRID, SPAIN – APRIL 09: Ederson of Manchester City warms up prior to the UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg match between Real Madrid CF and Manchester City at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on April 09, 2024 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Midfield
Mateo Kovacic remains the main gun in the middle of the park in the absence of Rodri. He will have the companies of Bernardo Silva and Kevin De Bruyne in the middle of the park.
Phil Foden is operating on the right flank with Erling Haaland being the number nine in the lineup. For the left-wing role, Guardiola is likely to bring Savinho into the XI. The Brazilian has been influential since his arrival and can make the difference.
The Spanish genius has already confirmed that none of the injured players is returning for this fixture. The list includes Rodri, Nathan Ake, Oscar Bobb, Ruben Dias, and Jeremy Doku.
4-3-3 Manchester City Predicted Lineup vs Arsenal