Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Joe Bray

How Man City should line up vs Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League

Manchester City can seal top spot in their Champions League group with a game to spare, if they can avoid defeat against Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday.

City know that a point will be enough to secure first place in Group G, as they will remain three points ahead of Dortmund with one game remaining, and with a superior head-to-head record that would decide placings if the sides finished level on points. Dortmund know they can join City in the last-16 with a win, or a draw if Copenhagen don't beat Sevilla. If those sides draw, Dortmund could even qualify with defeat against City.

Pep Guardiola will be without the suspended Sergio Gomez after his red card in Copenhagen, but could welcome back John Stones for a first start in a month after his hamstring problems. Aymeric Laporte looks to have shaken off a kick at the end of City's Premier League win over Brighton at the weekend.

ALSO READ: Pep Guardiola hails Jude Bellingham transfer decision

Read how our writers think City should line up in Dortmund and use the team selector to pick your own starting XI:

Simon Bajkowski

Sergio Gomez's suspension leaves few options in the defence. Owing to fitness reasons, it probably makes sense to play Akanji at right-back with Nathan Ake in the middle rather than to risk Aymeric Laporte again so soon after his first league start of the campaign on Saturday.

Dortmund will try and disrupt City's rhythm, and given Guardiola said that De Bruyne is not currently at his best it may not be the worst shout to leave him out for a midfield trio who are all known for keeping the ball and manipulating the tempo rather than taking the sort of risks that De Bruyne brings. He is no bad substitute to bring on if things aren't going City's way.

Jack Grealish just about outperformed Riyad Mahrez at the weekend but still needs a real performance to spark his City career. In a charged atmosphere, this could be the game for him.

Joe Bray

Guardiola spoke about Aymeric Laporte's fitness after the Brighton game, and with Nathan Ake putting his feet up on Saturday he should come in to give Laporte a breather. Manuel Akanji can continue on the right, and should be ready to face his former teammates even if out of position.

Ilkay Gundogan is normally a sure-fire pick on European nights, and he will also be more than familiar with the Westfalonstadion atmosphere. It would be harsh to drop Bernardo Silva, but he can be kept fresh for the trip to Leicester at the weekend.

Upfront, it's between Jack Grealish and Riyad Mahrez to see who gets the third attacking spot after Erling Haaland and Phil Foden. Mahrez was replaced earlier than Grealish on Saturday, although the number ten played better and will want a chance to make amends for an under-par performance in the home game against Dortmund.

Pick your best team here:

Daniel Murphy

The team to face Dortmund pretty much picks itself. Phil Foden should certainly come back into the fold after being rested against Brighton and should be positioned back on the right to make up the front three that had been performing so well before Pep Guardiola changed things up. Jack Grealish and Erling Haaland would be the rest of the attack.

Rodri and Kevin De Bruyne's starting berths aren't in doubt but I would keep Bernardo Silva in the middle as well. City struggled to break down a resolute Dortmund in the reverse fixture and only began to get some joy when he came on alongside Foden. City will need all the ingenuity they can muster in getting past the yellow wall quicker this time around.

Nathan Ake should come in for Aymeric Laporte as he continues to feel his way back to full fitness with Joao Cancelo at left-back given Sergio Gomez is suspended.

READ NEXT:

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.