Manchester City are looking to book their place in the Champions League semi-final for the first time since 2016.
Pep Guardiola’s side hold a 2-1 lead over Borussia Dortmund from the first leg, and are hoping everything goes without a hitch at Signal Iduna Park tonight.
Pre-match preparations have not been perfect, with it being reported (Daily Mail) fans let off fireworks outside the players’ hotel in the early hours of this morning.
Hopefully that will not be to their detriment in tonight’s game.
Guardiola rested a number of players against Leeds United with the second leg in mind, and many will be brought back into the fold.
Protecting Ederson will likely be a back four of Kyle Walker, Ruben Dias, John Stones and Joao Cancelo.
Stones did play at the weekend, but he’s proven such an effective partner for Dias this season that it would be a bit of surprise if he didn’t keep his place from weekend.
In midfield, Rodri, Ilkay Gundogan and Bernando Silva should all come back in.
In attack, Kevin De Bruyne may lead the line operating as a false nine as he often has this season.
The 80-cap Belgium international could end up alternating with Bernando, who is just as capable in that particular role.
Out wide, it’s very difficult to look beyond Phil Foden and Riyad Mahrez, who have both been excellent in recent weeks.
Raheem Sterling is not in the best form right now and will probably have to contend with a place on the bench.
Mahrez has just scooped the Premier League Player of the Month award for March, and is looking so dangerous at present, and Foden deserves to start for his stunning performance in the first leg alone.
Nothing is ever straightforward with City, especially in this competition as fans well know, but this particular team, in the form it’s been, surely has enough to get the job done.
