After a frantic derby on Sunday, Wednesday’s Champions League tie comes as the perfect opportunity to rest key players.
Manchester City players will have had just over 48 hours of recovery by the time kick-off comes, and Pep Guardiola may be thinking about the hectic month ahead going into the contest. Defending champions Copenhagen are struggling in the Danish top-flight, having already lost six of their 11 games this season.
They have failed to score in either Champions League game against Borussia Dortmund (a 2-0 loss) and La Liga strugglers Sevilla (a goalless draw). They’ve also failed to score more than two goals in a single game since August 19 in any competition.
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This bodes well for City, who top the Champions League group after two victories. As a result, Guardiola could decide to hand a number of less-favoured players an extended run-out.
Summer signing Stefan Ortega is yet to feature for his new club but will be hoping to get the nod against weaker opposition. City don’t have many options at full-back with Kyle Walker ruled out alongside John Stones, who filled in at right-back prior to his own setback.
Joao Cancelo is set to start in his natural role on the right with Sergio Gomez poised for his second start of the season on the left. The returning Aymeric Laporte came on as a substitute in Sunday’s 6-3 mauling of Manchester United and could start in a bid to rebuild his fitness further.
In-form Manuel Akanji could be given a break after barely having time to breathe following his deadline day arrival and birth of his second child. Nathan Ake - unlikely to feature too often later in the season - could retain his place next door.
Rodri is a doubt for the game although he was seen in training on Tuesday afternoon and with Kalvin Phillips injured, Guardiola might not risk him against Copenhagen. Instead Ilkay Gundogan may occupy the pivot with Kevin De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva completing the midfield.
Erling Haaland needs no introduction, and he might not get one in this game. Wednesday’s tie is the prime opportunity to rest the goal machine with Liverpool at Anfield, in-form Brighton and a trip to Borussia Dortmund following Saturday’s clash with Southampton.
The return fixture against Copenhagen is also next week but that will be a contrastingly different occasion with raucous home fans treated to their biggest fixture for a number of years.
So Julian Alvarez would come in instead for his second start with Cole Palmer - who featured against United and is a favourite of Guardiola’s - potentially starting his first game of the season on the left.
Guardiola has told Riyad Mahrez he must improve his physical condition to get back into the City side. The attacker netted a club-high 24 goals last season but has only started three times this term.
He could earn his fourth against Copenhagen. The omitted big names such as Jack Grealish, Ruben Dias and hat-trick hero Phil Foden could make late entrances into the game to keep their form tank topped up ahead of the weekend while a number of youngsters could get runouts if the scoreline is healthy enough.
Predicted Man City XI: Ortega; Cancelo, Laporte, Ake, Gomez; Gunodgan, De Bruyne, Bernardo; Mahrez, Alvarez, Palmer.
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