Manchester City will begin their Champions League campaign tonight (Tuesday) when they take on Sevilla at the Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan in Seville.
On paper, City's opener will be the toughest test of the group stage as Sevilla are the second highest ranked team in Group G, according to UEFA's club coefficient rankings. Joining the English and Spanish sides in the group are German giants Borussia Dortmund and FC Copenhagen of Denmark.
City head into the match after an unbeaten start to the season; four wins and two draws leaves them second in the Premier League rankings, with all the focus centred around 10-goal striker Erling Haaland
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Sevilla, it's fair to say, have not enjoyed a good start to the new season. They have lost three and drawn one of their opening four LaLiga fixtures, including a 0-3 loss at home to Barcelona on Saturday.
City last faced Sevilla in 2015, when Manuel Pellegrini's side won 2-1 at home and 3-1 away in the Champions League group stage. Jesus Navas and Fernando, who both represented City in those ties, could feature for Sevilla on Tuesday.
To get some insight on the Blues' next opponents, MEN Sport spoke to Matt Clark of La Liga Lowdown and Football Espana Editor Ruairidh Barlow.
Sevilla are usually one of LaLiga's high fliers. Why have they had a bad start to the season?
MC: "The continuation of a trend that has been happening throughout 2022. Their forwards aren't convincing in front of goal, and their defensive solidity has evaporated.
"When combined with the uncertainty over Julen Lopetegui's future and the poor transfer window operations - losing their keystone central defensive partnership of Jules Kounde and Diego Carlos — it is clear to see they are in a downward spiral. Too many players just aren't at the level they once were."
RB: "Lopetegui has become gradually more conservative in recent seasons and if you combine that with a chronic lack of goals, an inability to create space for Papu Gomez and concerning recruitment in attack, then a turgid, tight and combative side is the result."
How can Sevilla hurt City?
MC: "Although they were eventually well beaten by Barca at the weekend, they did penetrate in behind quite a lot in the first half. If City play a high line as they usually do, there could be an opportunity for Sevilla to exploit that space.
"Isco could thread the balls through and the likes of Erik Lamela or possibly Youssef En-Nesyri can run in behind. If and when they do get the chance, they have to be ruthless."
RB: "Expect the left and right-sided attackers to move inside and get their full-backs to the byline if they do find themselves with possession high up."
Will Sevilla be able to stop Erling Haaland?
MC: "Aside from prayer, there is probably little any side can do to stop Haaland in this kind of form. With 23 goals in 19 Champions League appearances (including four in two meetings with Sevilla in 2021), he strikes fear into any defence. If Kounde and Carlos struggled in that previous tie, expect the inexperienced partnership on Tuesday to also face a torrid evening.
RB: "Robert Lewandowski showed that there is space to be had in this Sevilla defence. My estimation is that Lopetegui will have his two central defenders go tight with Haaland and Fernando will try to jump in if Haaland's touch is at all loose. I expect the Brazilian to play very close to the central defenders and try to limit him to coming out the box."
What are Sevilla's Champions League prospects this season?
MC: "Given the tough draw, simply competing and qualifying from the Group Stage will be seen as a success. However, perhaps dropping into the Europa might be best in the long term, as it could be most viable route to return to the Champions League next year. The demanding fans will expect an improvement on last season though, where they were knocked out in a fairly favourable group, finishing behind Lille and Salzburg.
RB: "The Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan can still be intimidating on the right night, there is a core of experienced veterans and if Kasper Dolberg suddenly becomes the striker they have been missing, they have a chance to reach the knockouts as group runners up."
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