Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City travel to Borussia Monchengladbach looking to seal a place in the Round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League. Here’s the team news ahead of Wednesday night’s clash.
Group C is favourably poised for the visiting Manchester City side. The Citizens head into the match against Borussia Monchengladbach in second place, three points ahead of their hosts knowing full well that a win would take them to the knockout stages with a game in hand.
And Pep Guardiola approaches the match in Borussia-Park with good fortunes on the team news front. City travel to Germany with an almost fully fit squad, as Guardiola has nearly all his first choice players available. Captain Vincent Kompany, right back Pablo Zabaleta and midfielder Fabian Delph are the only absentees from Wednesday’s squad.
Belgium and Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany is “out for weeks” as confirmed by Guardiola in his press conference. The centre-back had to be taken off midway through the first half in City’s 2-1 win at Crystal Palace last Saturday after he collided heavily with Claudio Bravo.
Guardiola confirmed City fans’ worst fears in Tuesday’s press conference, as he said: “He has a problem with his knee. He could be out for weeks. He’s sad and I’m sad. It’s a long time he doesn’t play. The doctor told me a few weeks [that Kompany will be out]. We’ll see.”
England international Delph only recently joined training after being sidelined with a muscle injury, and this game comes too early for the midfielder. Zabaleta, too, trained on Tuesday but was not fit enough to travel. Yaya Toure, whose brace inspired City to the win over Palace last week, won’t take part against Monchengladbach as he is not part of the Champions League squad for Manchester City.
Goalkeeper Claudio Bravo will make a return to the starting lineup after missing the Matchday 4 clash against Barcelona due to suspension. In Kompany’s absence, John Stones is expected to take his place alongside Nicolas Otamendi in the heart of the Manchester City defence after missing the game at Selhurst Park due to lack of match fitness. And the central defensive duo should be flanked by Bacary Sagna and Gael Clichy on either side.
Toure’s place from Saturday is likely to be taken by Ilkay Gundogan after the Germany international missed Saturday’s match due to fatigue. David Silva is also expected to be restored to the starting lineup with Nolito missing out in his stead. The attacking midfielders should have Kevin De Bruyne and Raheem Sterling for company, with Sergio Aguero leading the line for Guradiola’s side.
Here’s the complete Manchester City squad for Wednesday’s match against Borussia Monchengladbach:
Goalkeepers: Claudio Bravo, Willy Caballero, Angus Gunn
Defenders: Bacary Sagna, Gael Clichy, Aleksandar Kolarov, John Stones, Nicolas Otamendi, Pablo Maffeo
Midfielders: Fernando, Fernandinho, Ilkay Gundogan, Leroy Sane, Raheem Sterling, Jesus Navas, David Silva, Kevin De Bruyne
Forwards: Nolito, Kelechi Iheanacho, Sergio Aguero
