Pep Guardiola said Manchester City must have ‘more control’ in their Champions League second leg against RB Leipzig.
The Blues drew 1-1 in the first meeting of the last-16 tie, a game in which Leipzig were the better side in the second half. But Guardiola said the key will be to dictate the game to the German side.
“I don’t pay any attention to what happened there,” he said in Monday’s pre-match press conference. “The first half we were better, second half they were better. We are going to play a solid game and adjust a few things to have more control and be better.
“Always I believe that transition game is a [toss of the] coin. It can go in your favour. In a knockout game the game can dictate what you have to do. We will see at the end.”
To have more control, Guardiola may select Kevin De Bruyne in midfield once again, despite criticising the midfielder in his press conference. “Don’t lose the ball, the mobility, the incredible capacity to be active in the movement, the simple things, do it again better and better,” Guardiola said, when asked about De Bruyne’s recent form.
Elsewhere, the City boss may opt to reinstate Kyle Walker after it was announced last week that Cheshire Police are investigating an incident of alleged indecent exposure involving the right-back. Walker dropped to the bench for Saturday’s win over Crystal Palace, but came off the bench in the second half.
Here’s how we think City will line up against Leipzig…
1. GK: Ederson
Guardiola is not expected to rotate his keeper in such a high-profile game.
2. RB: Kyle Walker
Could come back into the team after he was dropped at the weekend.
3. CB: Manuel Akanji
John Stones and Aymeric Laporte are other options, but Guardiola is expected to stick with Akanji.
4. CB: Ruben Dias
Has been very impressive at the back in recent weeks.