Pep Guardiola will finally guide an English club in the Champions League against Borussia Mönchenglabach on Tuesday at Etihad Stadium in their Group C clash.
In what is arguably the group of death, Manchester City and Pep Guardiola will face stern competition from their German opponents after coming off the back off a victory at the Manchester derby. City’s winning streak looks unchallenged at the moment in the English Premier League. However, Europe is a different matter altogether.
Andre Schubert’s men have won two and lost one in the Bundesliga, and pose a considerable amount of threat to the favourites Barcelona and Manchester City. This is their second consecutive participation in the group stages of the prestigious tournament. Last time too Die Fohlen were grouped with tough opponents like Sevilla, Juventus and Manchester City, but had finished last.
Team News and Tactical Review
Manchester City
Playing against a side with the 3-5-2 formation is never easy and Guardiola will not compromise with his possession football and the vibrant passing that was on display against United this weekend. However, the usual two man midfield pivot will have to stretch a bit to combat the dynamic 3 man midfield of a 3-5-2 that Monchengladbach will likely field. With the defensive wing-backs occupying the flanks, the space in midfield will be dominated by the three-man midfield who will perhaps play a rotating triangle. Silva and De Bruyne will have to put in a lot of work to keep possession for Guardiola’s side.
Probable Lineup – 4-2-3-1 – Claudio Bravo; Pablo Zabaleta, John Stones, Otamendi, Gael Clichy; Fernandinho, Gundogan; Kevin De Bruyne, David Silva, Raheem Sterling; Sergio Agüero
Borussia Monchengladbach
Monchengladbach lost Granit Xhaka in the summer but held on to their other star players like Mahmoud Dahoud and Andres Christensen, both of whom seemed Premier League bound like Xhaka. They are a very tactical team who play a tight game snuffing out spaces in midfield and allow for side overload. They are often known for their attractive brand of attacking football and had crushed Young Boys 9-2 on aggregate enroute to the group stages.
Probable Lineup – 3-5-2 – Sommer – Elvedi, Christensen, Vestergaard – Herrmann, Dahoud, Kramer, Wendt Stindl – Raffael, Hahn
Key Facts
- Monchengladbach have won only one of their six games against all English clubs in all major club competitions.
- André Hahn had scored in each of Gladbach’s last five Bundesliga games before Saturday.
- Tuesday’s clash will be Man City’s sixth consecutive Champions League participation.
- Monchengladbach had lost both previous meetings against City last year.
- Aguero has failed to score in his last five Champions League games.
Player to Watch Out for
Man City – Sergio Aguero
Aguero missed the Manchester derby due to suspension but Guardiola has revealed that the Argentine will participate in Tuesday’s Champions League opener against Monchengladbach. He’s easily one of the best forwards in England and will have a decisive impact on this game.
Monchengladbach – Andre Hahn
Hahn is in terrific form this season but a lot depends on the kind of service that would be available to him on Tuesday. He will depend on the galloping fullbacks a lot for service up front. John Stones will have his hands full with him.
Prediction
Man City 3-1 Monchengladbach
The Germans have lacked nerve last year, and the same trend will set to continue this year because they are up against Europe’s best. For them, a Europa League qualification would be the best bet since they are up against City and Barcelona. They should, however, have little trouble with Celtic.