Manchester City face Sevilla at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium on Tuesday in their fourth match of their Champions League Group D campaign. Here, we look at some talking points ahead of the game.
Do the knockout stages beckon?
City know they can take a huge step towards qualification if they win in Seville. In fact, they could even secure a place in the last 16 if they triumph and Juventus beat Borussia Monchengladbach in Germany. City are presently second in the group with six points, one behind Juve. Sevilla have three and Monchengladbach one. Victory would put them six clear of Sevilla, whose inferior head-to-head record, having already lost at the Etihad Stadium, would then mean they could not overhaul City. Given City’s history in the competition, to qualify with two games to spare would be an impressive achievement, but neither Sevilla nor Monchengladbach may surrender quite so easily.
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Where are the threats to City?
Sevilla played well in Manchester a fortnight ago, with midfielders Yevhen Konoplyanka and Grzegorz Krychowiak dangerous in attack throughout. Striker Kevin Gameiro, who also troubled City in the last meeting, is out injured, but coach Unai Emery is hopeful linchpin midfielder Ever Banega will overcome an ankle problem. Gameiro’s absence could offer an opportunity to Ciro Immobile, a much-trumpeted summer loan signing from Borussia Dortmund who is yet to fire.
City short on attack options
Injuries to Sergio Aguero, David Silva and Samir Nasri and the ineligibility of Kelechi Iheanacho mean City boss Manuel Pellegrini has limited choices in the forward positions. Wilfried Bony is likely to lead the line as a lone center forward with Raheem Sterling, Kevin De Bruyne and Jesus Navas playing in the positions behind him.
Pressure on Bony
Bony is facing a fight to prove himself to the City fans after a couple of frustrating recent performances. He spurned a number of opportunities in Saturday’s defeat of Norwich and the frustration of supporters became evident. The 26-year-old has had a difficult time since his January move from Swansea with injuries, malaria, international commitments and the brilliance of Aguero all preventing him from getting a run in the team at various stages. With his problems behind him and Aguero currently sidelined, he has been given a prolonged chance but his misses suggest a lack of confidence. Pellegrini has expressed faith in him.
Nevas homecoming
The match at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium will see Navas make an emotional return to his hometown and first club. The 29-year-old winger made 393 appearances for Sevilla over 10 years after coming through their youth system. He scored 34 goals for them and his trophy haul included two Spanish Cups and two UEFA Cups. He moved to City for £14.9 million in 2013 but remains a favorite of the Sevilla fans.
