Manchester City faces FC Copenhagen in the round of 16 second leg of the Champions League this Wednesday (9 p.m.). Here is the expected lineup for the title holder.
Despite the quiet success won in the first leg three weeks ago (3-1), Pep Guardiola is not making plans for the comets when he returns to FC Copenhagen, for his second round in the round of 16 of the Champions League .
“ The level of the Champions League is increasing, it is becoming harder and harder, warned the Spanish technician. With Barça, every year, when I arrived, I had the feeling that we were in the semi-finals at least, before it even started. Now it’s so hard to reach the semi-finals. The teams are better. The coaches too. Everything is harder than when I was a player or a coach, when I started. In the end, the best teams come through (…) Every moment is special. And I always find it difficult to get through to the end. We don’t take anything for granted. Nothing is simple. »
De Bruyne left to rest?
If Pep Guardiola was careful not to give any indication of his eleven, the possibility of seeing a large rotation cannot be ruled out, in a period where City, engaged on all counts, is playing a large part of its season. But that would not be the current trend.
If Kevin de Bruyne could be left to rest, Man City should rely on other strong links in its squad. Erling Haaland is expected at kick-off, as is the man in form of the moment, Phil Foden. Ederson or Ruben Dias are also expected to start this return match.
The expected line-up for Manchester City: Ederson – Akanji, Dias, Ake, Gvardiol – Stones, Rodri – Foden, Alvarez, Doku – Haaland.
