Manchester City are aiming to bounce back from a Premier League defeat when they face Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday night.
These two teams are facing off for the very first time, with the depleted visitors targeting an upset triumph at the Etihad, having moved up to third in the Bundesliga on Saturday.
City have had their issues away from home this season and last, but they’ve been imperious on home soil as of late. A strong start to their Champions League campaign means Pep Guardiola, who said he was “embarrassed and ashamed” about his behaviour after Saturday’s loss on Tyneside, will likely use Tuesday’s game as an opportunity to rotate.
Here’s how the hosts could line up for Leverkusen’s visit in Gameweek 5 of the league phase.
Man City Predicted Lineup vs. Bayer Leverkusen (4-1-4-1)
GK: Gianluigi Donnarumma—While Guardiola may be tempted into wholesale rotation, Donnarumma is likely to stay between the posts.
RB: Abdukodir Khusanov—It looked like Khusanov was primed to lock down the right back position before his injury. Matheus Nunes has been the first-choice over the past month or so, but the Uzbek defender could come back in here.
CB: Rúben Dias—The Portuguese was City’s unlikely goalscorer on Saturday, and he’ll likely be tasked with marshalling the hosts’ backline in midweek.
CB: Joško Gvardiol—Gvardiol took on prematch media duties, which is usually a sign that the player will be starting the following evening.
LB: Nico O’Reilly—Rayan Aït-Nouri hasn’t been trusted since returning from injury, so the Algerian may only play a role off the bench here.
DM: John Stones—Nico González has a big role to play moving forward, so a rest on Tuesday wouldn’t be such a bad idea. Stones can perform the holding midfield role on an occasion like this.
RW: Oscar Bobb—Bobb’s jinks and jives failed to prise Newcastle open at the weekend, but we should see Guardiola opt for the young Norwegian over the experienced Bernardo Silva.
AM: Tijjani Reijnders—The summer addition has crept out of Guardiola’s preferred plans, but he’ll be given the chance to shine from the outset in midweek.
AM: Phil Foden—The beating heart of this City team. Foden was excellent last time out against Borussia Dortmund and will be hoping for more joy against Bundesliga opposition.
LW: Omar Marmoush—It’s been a quiet start to the season for Marmoush, primarily because of injury. However, he should be in the team on Tuesday, where he’ll face up against a familiar opponent.
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This article was originally published on www.si.com as Man City Predicted Lineup vs. Bayer Leverkusen: Rotation After Newcastle Defeat.
