Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola opted to name four centre-backs and an additional midfielder in his starting XI against RB Leipzig to combat the opposition's strength in central areas.
With a place in the Champions League quarter-finals at stake, Guardiola made one change from the win over Crystal Palace with Kevin De Bruyne replacing Phil Foden in the line-up. It meant John Stones and Nathan Ake were retained at right-back and left-back respectively, despite being central defenders by trade.
Given his recent form, the omission of Foden was also quite surprising. The 22-year-old had scored four goals from as many outings in all competitions, while De Bruyne has not been firing on all cylinders.
READ MORE: Live updates from City vs Leipzig
De Bruyne joined fellow midfielders Rodri, Ilkay Gundogan and Bernardo Silva in the starting XI.
Speaking to BT Sport pre-game, Guardiola said: "Guys like this help us defensively and in the build-up. I make this team because I have few doubts and everyone is available. Everyone is ready.
"All four [defenders] can play in different shapes, they can adapt defensively and that's why we decide."
City manager Guardiola added: "They start a lot of players inside. A lot. We have to adapt.
"It doesn't matter if they play strikers or wingers, they play inside. The outside is for full-backs and they attack from inside, but we will see if they change shape after five minutes."
Despite taking an early lead though Riyad Mahrez in the first leg, City were pegged back upon the restart as highly-rated Croatia international Josko Gvardiol netted an equaliser in the 70th minute. It meant it was all to play for before kick-off in the last-16 tonight.
Erling Haaland had scored an early brace to give City a 3-1 aggregate lead at the time of writing.
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