Man City take on Lyon tonight in what will be our biggest game of the season so far, with potential Champions League glory just three games away due to the straight knockout format.
The Sky Blues come up against Rudi Garcia’s plucky underdogs in what could prove to be a difficult contest.
Pep Guardiola’s side eased past Real Madrid in the last 16, winning both aggregate games 2-1, but this Lyon side pose an entirely different threat.
Gabriel Jesus was able to take advantage of two Raphael Varane blunders to effectively seal our place in the next round, but don’t expect the same hiccups from this team.
City will arguably need to put out a very attacking side if they wish to disrupt a solid Lyon back three, covered by a five-man midfield.
So taking that into account, here is how we think Guardiola will rotate for this one:
4-3-3 – Ederson; Walker, Otamendi, Laporte, Cancelo; Fernandinho, Silva, De Bruyne; Mahrez, Jesus, Sterling.
Do you agree with our City predicted XI?
Yes
No, Foden should start, Otamendi shouldn't
Conceding the joint-third least goals domestically this season, Lyon are set up in a defensive shape and often want to force their opponents to play long balls in-behind for their back three to mop up.
Midfield dominance is the aim of the game, and City will need an enforcer akin to 2018/2019 Fernandinho who can ensure we retain the ball and protect our back four.
Rodri, Ilkay Gundogan and, most notably, Phil Foden make way for this one.
Silva, coming in for the £36 million-valued Gundogan, can help to provide some fluidity and attacking edge in the centre of the park, meanwhile Fernandinho moves up from centre-half to take up his more natural position at Rodri’s expense.
Perhaps our most controversial inclusions, we feel Riyad Mahrez would be better suited to start tonight in place of Phil Foden – despite the youngster’s recent showings.
The Algerian international could be the difference maker we need, having bagged 11 goals and 9 assists in the league alone.
Meanwhile, Otamendi slotting in at centre-half could pay off – with the Argentine completing 92% of his passes out from the back and allowing Fernandinho to push up.