Dinamo Zagreb will be welcoming a wounded Manchester City side who recently come from a 2-1 defeat against Manchester United which gave Liverpool a 14 point gap at the top. With plenty of football fans suggesting that Man. City is out of the title defence in the Premier League, Pep Guardiola’s attention will now shift to the all-important UEFA Champions League. If there is a way in which the Spaniard could redeem Manchester City’s season, then that will be by going the distance in the European Competition.
Having said that, Manchester City tops Group C with 11 points on board and have advanced to the Round of 16. Meanwhile, the upcoming fixture turns out to be far more important for Dinamo Zagreb as they’re third in the group with five points. A win against City could propel the Croatian club over Shakhtar Donetsk who is just a point above Dinamo Zagreb for the time being.
Match Details
Date- Wednesday, December 11 | Kick-Off- 11:25 PM (IST) | Venue- Stadion Maksimir
Dinamo Zagreb
Nikola Moro is back from a suspension and should be made available in the team sheet. However, it’s Kevin Theophile-Catherine and Dino Peric are the individuals who are ruled out due to suspensions. As a result of a hole in the defence, Arijan Ademi could be brought in on the backline to accompany Leovac and Dilaver.
Manchester City
Fernandinho will miss out due to an accumulation of yellow cards. Sergio Aguero is back in training but is likely to be given further rest as Gabriel Jesus, Riyad Mahrez and Raheem Sterling could fill in the forward line. Centre-back John Stones once again sustained a knock in the previous game and is expected to be on the sidelines. Phil Foden and Eric Garcia could have a part to play against Dinamo Zagreb. Angelino is yet to make another appearance as Oleksandr Zinchenko is yet to be 100% fit for his side. Aymeric Laporte and Leroy Sane are long term absentees for Manchester City.
Dinamo Zagreb- Livakovic; Moubandje, Leovac, Dilaver, Ademi, Stojanovic; Orsic, Ivanusec, Moro, Olmo; Petkovic
Manchester City- Ederson; Cancelo, Otamendi, Garcia, Angelino; Foden, Gundogan, K D Bruyne; Mahrez, Jesus, Sterling
Mislav Orsic has been one of the performers of the season in the Champions League for Dinamo Zagreb. The Croatian centre-forward has four goals and an assist from five appearances in the European competition.
Raheem Sterling on the flanks has been prolific for Manchester City. The 25-year-old has five goals and two assists from five appearances in the Champions League this season.
Bruno Petkovic could prove to be a threat while going forward and has a goal and an assist for Dinamo in the Champions League this season.
Riyad Mahrez has also proved to be lethal while playing out wide for Manchester City. The Algerian international has scored a goal while also having three assists with a pass accuracy of 87% in the four Champions League game this season.
Manchester City is undefeated in its last six games in the Champions League but could face a challenge away from home against a Dinamo side who have to win at any cost. Having said that, a draw seems like a possible outcome.
Goalkeeper- E Moraes
Defenders- E Dilaver, M Leovac, N Otamendi
Midfielders- N Moro, L Ivanusec, R Majrez, K D Bruyne
Forwards- M Orsic, B Petkovic, R Sterling (C)
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