Pep Guardiola has several key selection decisions to make ahead of Manchester City’s Champions League clash against Bayern Munich.
The German side travel to the Etihad for Tuesday’s quarter-final first leg and certainly don’t lack attacking talent, with Sadio Mane, Leroy Sane and Serge Gnabry expected to pose the City backline plenty of problems. Therefore, Guardiola hinted he could bring Kyle Walker into the team in an effort to try and counteract Bayern’s rapid attackers.
Should he come into the team, Guardiola will have to decide whether to push John Stones inside or start with Ruben Dias and Manuel Akanji at centre-back once again. Aymeric Laporte is another option, while Nathan Ake is expected to play at left-back.
Elsewhere, in midfield Rodri and De Bruyne should start, meaning the City boss will most probably select one of Ilkay Gundogan or Bernardo Silva in the remaining midfield role. Phil Foden is the only absentee from the squad with the England international still recovering from recently undergoing surgery to remove his appendix. Therefore, City are expected to start with the same front three that played in the win over Southampton.
Here’s how we expect Guardiola to line up for the clash with his former side.
1. GK: Ederson
Has played in all the big Champions League matches this campaign.
2. RB: Kyle Walker
Guardiola hinted that he may reinstate the defender for the clash with Bayern.
3. CB: John Stones
Arguably City’s most-reliable defender this term and it seems unlikely that Stones will be dropped even if Walker starts.
4. CB: Ruben Dias
Was selected as the press conference player, usually an indication he’ll start.