Monaco will entertain Manchester City in the second leg of the much anticipated Champions League round of 16. The last match produced some brilliant football and excellent goals. City won the match 5-3 but with Monaco’s current form it won’t be difficult for them to reduced the deficit.
Monaco’s free flowing attacking football under Leonardo Jardim has been a revelation this season. They showed their brilliant attacking display in the reverse fixture and the French side would be quietly confident that they can replicate their form. Radamel Falcao and Kylian Mbappe have been the main threat for them and they will try to pile more misery on City’s defence which has been inconsistent.
Guardiola will rely on the front three of Raheem Sterling, Kevin De Bruyne and Leroy Sane to score and we can expect goals galore at the Stade Louis II. Monaco often counter with lots of pace and John Stones and Nicolas Otamendi have to deal with that. City conceded a goal after Stones’ mistake although he did compensate it by scoring a goal. But these type of mistakes could prove to be enough in these sorts of matches.
Team News and Predicted Lineups (4-1-4-1)
Barring Ilkay Gundogan and Gabriel Jesus, Pep Guardiola has a fit squad.
Caballero; Fernandinho, Stones, Otamendi, Zabaleta; Toure, Silva, De Bruyne; Sane, Sterling, Aguero
Sevilla (4-4-2)
Kamil Glik is suspended while Gabriel Boschilia and Guido Carrilo are nursing injuries and will miss the match. Radamel Falcao is carrying a knock but is expected to start.
Subasic; Mendy, Jemerson, Sidibe, Raggi; Fabinho, Moutinho, Lemar, Silva; Falcao, Mbappe
Key Players
Manchester City
With the likes of Sergio Aguero in the ranks, City will try to feed him with more balls. The Argentine forward has started the last few games and with Gabriel Jesus absent, he will have the onus to score.
Leroy Sane- The German winger was brilliant against Middlesbrough and riding on his shoulder, City defeated the Premier League side in the FA Cup quarter-final. Sane has gradually started to overshadow De Bruyne and will be one of the key players of Pep in this crucial encounter.
Monaco
Radamel Falcao- The Colombian international is a doubtful starter but is likely to get the nod before the game. He has racked up 24 goals this season. Monaco would need to score at least two goals to get through to the next round and Falcao has to take this opportunity.
Odds
Manchester City- 2.60
Draw- 3.90
Monaco- 2.62
