Manchester City vs Monaco
UEFA Champions League – Round of 16, First Leg
Date: Tuesday, 21st February 2017
Kick-Off at 19:45 UK / 20:45 CET
Venue: Etihad Stadium, Manchester.
Welcome to what promises to be the most entertaining matchup in the Round of 16 of this season's UEFA Champions League. The two sides play the first leg at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday night, and if their performances this season are any indication of what's to come in the 180 minutes between them, we're in for a treat.
Monaco may just be the best team in Europe this season along with Chelsea. Unlike the Blues, who pride themselves in fierce defending and competitive play, the side from the Principality have the best attack in the continent and lead the French league with a high-flying style that leads to many goals and entertaining matches.
City have Pep Guardiola and great players, but we know the roller coaster ride this team has treated us to throughout the season. The Sky Blues come to this tie in good form, unbeaten in six matches with four clean sheets and a newfound attacking midfield that is killing defenses in England for the last few weeks.
These two teams love to attack and also like to concede, and both teams can hurt each other with possession play and killer counter-attacking actions; both teams have amazing young talents and established stars; and both teams have the potential to trade punches for two legs until one goes down and the other advances to the quarterfinals.
TEAM NEWS
Two weeks ago, there were no injuries at City. Since then, Gabriel Jesus was lost for the season, Vincent Kompany picked up another problem, and Gaël Clichy hurt his back. Clichy will be available for selection, but the Frenchman may not start at left-back. The most likely starting lineup is the one that dominated AFC Bournemouth last week, with Fernandinho at left-back, Yaya Touré, Kevin De Bruyne and David Silva in midfield, Leroy Sané and Raheem Sterling on the wings, and Sergio Agüero up front.
City have to control possession and stay compact while attacking, because Monaco have pace and skill on the wings to beat anyone on the counter, and a Falcao García on fire up front ready to score. Monaco create dangerous chances via crosses, so John Stones should be prepared to have busy night heading the ball away from his area. Behind him, we still don't know who the goalkeeper is going to be, especially since Claudio Bravo made a very good return to the posts against Huddersfield, but Willy Caballero has been solid and should stay in goal.
Creativity, pace, control, intelligence. City need it all.
POSSIBLE LINEUPS
Man City: Caballero; Sagna, Stones, Kolarov, Fernandinho; Touré; Sterling, De Bruyne, Silva, Sané; Agüero
Monaco: Subasic; Sidibé, Glik, Raggi, Mendy; Bernardo, Fabinho, Bakayoko, Lemar; Falcao, Germain
Manchester City vs Monaco: Head-to-head stats
This will be the first competitive meeting between Manchester City and Monaco.
Manchester City defeated French Champions PSG in last season’s round of 16. They drew 2-2 in the away leg before Kevin de Bruyne’s goal earn them the decisive 1-0 win at the Etihad.
Monaco have won in all the last three UEFA Champions League knockout ties against Premier League clubs. Arsenal in 2014/15 round of 16, Chelsea in2003/04 semi-final and Manchester United in 1997/98 quarter-final.
Manchester City vs Monaco: Predictions
There is no doubt that this will be an entertaining match for the neutrals and a nervy affair for the fans. But we do believe Pep Guardiola’s side got the slightest of the edge. The Spanish tactician have won all the previous seven round of 16 ties as a coach.
Monaco are in terrific form, but Manchester City is expected to reproduce the performance that trounced Barcelona 3-1 on match day 4 of the competition.
Manchester City vs Monaco: Bet Tips
FT – Manchester City to win at 1.65 (7/11)
Correct Score: City to win 3-1 at 13.00 (12/1).
