Manchester City face a problem regarding the pitch ahead of Wednesday’s UEFA Champions League clash against BSC Young Boys.
The Swiss outfit normally play on an artificial pitch at the Wankdorf Stadium – which Luke Shaw has previously called a “dangerous” surface.
So, what have Manchester City done to deal with this issue? Let’s take a look…
What’s the story?
Well – according to Simon Bajkowski of the Manchester Evening News – Pep Guardiola will take his side to the Wankdorf Stadium in Bern for a training session on Tuesday evening, ahead of Wednesday’s clash.
The treble winners usually train at the City Football Academy facilities the day before a European encounter away from the Etihad Stadium.
However – in an attempt to help his Manchester City players familiarise themselves with the artificial pitch – Guardiola has arranged for training to be held on the unusual surface.
As aforesaid, Shaw has previously labelled the Wankdorf Stadium surface as “dangerous” after losing 2-1 to BSC Young Boys with Manchester United in 2021.
The Manchester Evening News quoted the England international as saying: “For Champions League, these pitches, they shouldn’t be possible. It’s dangerous. It’s hard to turn on.”
Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer have also previously criticised the pitch, so hopefully, Guardiola doesn’t witness any injuries to his players on Wednesday evening.
Manchester City should rest some players for UEFA Champions League clash
In our view, Guardiola should rest the likes of John Stones, Bernardo Silva and Jack Grealish when Manchester City take on BSC Young Boys this Wednesday.
The trio have only recently returned from muscle injuries, and Guardiola cannot afford to lose any of them for extended periods of time – they are all vital.
Therefore, with the risk of injuries heightened thanks to the artificial pitch, Manchester City should allow the trio to sit this one out, with Jeremy Doku, Matheus Nunes and Nathan Ake selected instead.
Hopefully, whoever Guardiola chooses to play ends up returning to Manchester unscathed.
