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Man City vs Lyon: Pep must play ”special” £120k-p/w ace who shoots more than Foden – Opinion

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Man City take on Lyon tonight in a Champions League quarter-final which could make or break our season, and manager Pep Guardiola has some tactical thinking to do if we’re to get past the Ligue 1 giants and into our first European semi-final since 2016. 

The Sky Blues put 13-time winners Real Madrid to the sword during our last 16 tie, winning 2-1 in both the Bernabeu and Etihad Stadium legs.

Gabriel Jesus’ match-winning performance, taking advantage of two Raphael Varane blunders, sealed our place in the next round – but it’s unlikely Lyon will gift us such fortune in Lisbon tonight.

The tie will be straight knockout due to the abolition of a second leg, with City needing to put in a world class performance if we’re to progress and potentially make history by winning the competition.

The Mahrez effect…

Youngster Phil Foden was given the nod by Guardiola against Madrid, partly due to his impressive performances since lockdown, but tonight might be a better opportunity to utilise winger Riyad Mahrez up against potential Lyon starters Maxwel Cornet and Fernando Marcal on the right side.

Who should start against Lyon?

Riyad Mahrez

Phil Foden

Both

During Lyon’s 2-1 loss to Juventus, a match where the French side held out to go through on away goals, winger Federico Bernadeschi appeared to have the beating of both Cornet and Marcal.

Cornet, as per SofaScore, lost half of his ground duels up against the Italian winger, and Marcal lost possession eight times – making just one tackle throughout the 90 minutes.

Dazzling winger Mahrez could cause them problems, especially considering the £120,000-per-week attacker has averaged more shots and completed dribbles per 90 than Foden over 2019/2020 according to WhoScored.

Difference maker…

Lyon are set up in a defensive shape that forces their opponents to try and play long balls in-behind, with the focus being on ‘maintaining midfield dominance‘.

The Algerian, completing 90.1% of his passes on average coupled with his attacking traits, could help to nullify Lyon’s solidarity.

Guardiola once described him as a ‘special’ talent, and his resurgence during a head-turning second season with the Sky Blues has been noted by supporters.

Scoring 11 goals and assisting 9 others in the Premier League alone, a cool head like Mahrez may be one of the difference makers as we look to get past our stubborn opposition.

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