Monaco (AFP) – Monaco striker Radamel Falcao failed to recover from a hip injury in time to face Manchester City in the second leg of Wednesday’s Champions League last-16 tie.
The Colombian scored twice in Monaco’s 5-3 first-leg defeat but was hurt at the weekend and left out of the squad by Monaco coach Leonardo Jardim for the return clash at the Stade Louis II.
Valere Germain replaces Falcao in attack while Jemerson returns in central defence after missing the trip to Manchester through suspension, but Andrea Raggi is again drafted in to cover for banned Poland international Kamil Glik.
City boss Pep Guardiola, who is taking charge of his 100th game in European competition, made two changes from the first leg with Gael Clichy and Aleksandar Kolarov given the nod ahead of Nicolas Otamendi and Yaya Toure.
The English side are well positioned to reach the quarter-finals for the second year running, but Guardiola vowed not to sit back on their two-goal advantage.
“You have to try and attack. If you don’t score away from home in the Champions League then you have little chance to go through,” Guardiola told BT Sport.
“We will try and avoid the counter-attack but they have to score,” he added, as the Spaniard hopes to mark Wednesday’s milestone match with a record 62nd victory in Europe.
“It’s not bad. I am happy to be with colleagues and managers on 100. I will be happy to celebrate tonight.”
Starting line-ups in the Champions League last 16 second-leg match between Monaco and Manchester City at the Stade Louis II on Wednesday (3-5 on aggregate; 1945 GMT kick-off):
Monaco (4-3-3): Danijel Subasic; Djibril Sidibe, Andrea Raggi, Jemerson; Benjamin Mendy; Fabinho, Tiemoue Bakayoko, Thomas Lemar; Bernardo Silva, Valere Germain (capt), Kylian Mbappe
Coach: Leonardo Jardim (POR)
Manchester City (4-3-3): Willy Caballero; Bacary Sagna, John Stones, Gael Clichy, Aleksandar Kolarov; Leroy Sane, Fernandinho, David Silva (capt); Kevin De Bruyne, Sergio Aguero, Raheem Sterling
Coach: Pep Guardiola (ESP)
Referee: Gianluca Rocchi (ITA)
