Toure And Fernandinho As Pivot: Strongest (4-2-3-1) Manchester City Line-up That Could Face AS Monaco In The Champions League

The unmissable second leg of the 8-goal thriller at the Etihad is now finally upon us as Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City travel to the Stade Louis II with a 5-3 lead to try and qualify for the next round of the Champions League.

However, they will be traveling to the home of the most productive side in front of goal in Europe and are expected to have to score to qualify for the quarter-finals of the competition. City have a 2-goal advantage going into this game but Monaco have secure 3 invaluable away goals which can come back to haunt the Citizens. Their victory over Boro in the FA Cup will give them some momentum going into the game but this clash is as unpredictable as any other in the competition this season.

Guardiola is certain to send out his strongest XI but what will it be? Here is the predicted lineup that Manchester City might field for this tie:

Team News:

Pep Guardiola revealed that his team has no new injury issues ahead of this tie. This means Ilkay Gundogan and Gabriel Jesus remain the only injury absentees.

Expected lineup (4-2-3-1):

GK – Willy Caballero:

Still preferred over Claudio Bravo by the manager, Caballero should keep his place in between the sticks for this Champions League game.

RB – Bacary Sagna:

Cementing a place in the starting XI with some consistent performances recently, Sagna is expected to start the game at right-back for his side.

CB – John Stones:

Having got a goal in the FA Cup tie recently, Stones will be high on confidence and will hope to have a decent game away from home.

CB – Nicolas Otamendi:

Easily the most consistent defenders for City this season, Otamendi has been the first choice for Guardiola and he should partner Stones at the back for this tie.

LB – Aleksandar Kolarov:

The experienced full-back will have a tough game against a fluid Monaco attack and he will have to be at his best to stop the French side from scoring big.

CM – Yaya Toure:

Slowly cementing a place in the midfield under Guardiola, Toure has now become an important player for his side and should start this game just in front of the back-4.

CM – Fernandinho:

With Manchester City leading by a couple of goals, Guardiola can do with some cover for his brittle back-4 and should play Fernandinho alongside Toure.

RW – Raheem Sterling:

The former Liverpool winger has been in decent form this season and was also on target in the FA Cup. Guardiola will hope that he can put in a similar performance in this tie.

CM – David Silva:

The Spanish playmaker is the most important player for City in the final third and he should have a productive game if City are to move into the next round.

LW – Kevin de Bruyne:

Shifting on to the flank will be De Bruyne who has also been extremely productive in front of goal. He had a super game in the first leg and a repeat of that performance can push Manchester City through on the night.

ST – Sergio Aguero:

Came up with a brace in the FA Cup game against Boro and will be highly confident on his abilities to give Manchester City atleast one crucial away goal in this tie.

This is how they would line-up: