Opposition watch: 4 men who could be key for RB Leipzig against Man City

Manchester City have been drawn in possibly the toughest Champions League group this season, along with Paris Saint-Germain, Club Brugge and RB Leipzig.

It’s the last of those who City kick off their campaign against on Wednesday and, while midfielder Rodri may feel that English clubs are the best in Europe, Leipzig will still pose a real test for the Premier League champions.

Die Roten Bullen made it to the semi-finals of the competition two years ago and have quality in every position. So we’ve picked out four key men City will have to be wary of at the Etihad...

Peter Gulacsi

The Hungarian has established himself as one of Europe’s top goalkeepers in recent years. The 6ft 3in stopper is a huge figure in the opposition goal and kept 15 clean sheets in 33 Bundesliga games last season. There also aren’t many former Tranmere Rovers or Hereford United goalkeepers in the Champions League and Gulasci is something of a late developer after he struggled to impose himself onto the English game during his time at Liverpool, where he was sent on loan to three clubs.

Emil Forsberg

Watchers of Euro 2020 will remember the Swede’s skill and eye for a goal. He was actually one strike off being top scorer at the tournament, with four goals to his name. Forsberg has already netted this season for Leipzig and has tended to operate from a central role ahead of the very talented Dani Olmo, although he can also play on the left flank. The 29-year-old is also a provider of goals and registered six assists in 2020/21, while he is more than capable of bypassing an opponent with mazy dribble.

Dominik Szoboszlai

The winger became the most expensive Hungarian player ever when he signed for Leipzig in 2020, and at the age of 20 there’s still plenty more to come from Szoboszlai. He’s already started this season superbly and has scored three in five matches, and could make his first Champions League appearance for Leipzig at the Etihad. Szoboszlai, who can operate from either wing, missed last summer’s Euros through injury, but has made a real impression this season for Jesse Marsch’s men.

Andre Silva

At 25, the Portuguese forward has already played in Europe with four clubs - that could become five on Wednesday. But Silva was one of the highest-scoring forwards in Europe last season, netting 28 goals in just 32 league games. The former AC Milan and Eintracht Frankfurt man has all the assets needed for a top forward: excellent movement and finishing, a quick turn of pace and the physicality to hold up the ball and bring others into play.