Manchester City will lock horns with Atletico Madrid at the Etihad on Tuesday night, hoping to pick up a win in the first leg of the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League competition. The Rojiblancos will be coming into the match on the back of an emphatic 4-1 win against Alaves, whereas the Citizens recorded a comfortable 2-0 victory over Burnley.
Team News
Ruben Dias (hamstring) remains out of the midweek clash, while Kyle Walker will serve the final match of a three-game European ban for the red card he picked up against RB Leipzig.
Pep Guardiola will probably opt for the 4-3-3 formation with a couple of tweaks from the last game as Oleksandr Zinchekno looks likely to make his way back into the starting eleven.
4-3-3 Manchester City Predicted Lineup Vs Atletico Madrid
Defence
Ederson Moraes will operate in between the sticks for the upcoming clash. The Brazilian shot-stopper will hope to put up a strong performance and secure a clean sheet on Tuesday.
John Stones will form the centre-half partnership with Aymeric Laporte at the heart of City’s backline.
Oleksandr Zinchenko might start at the right-back position, whereas Joao Cancelo will fill in on the other flank as the left-back. The full-backs will be expected to stay compact and keep their shape defensively.
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Midfield
Rodri might start in the holding midfield position and could be assigned with more of a defensive role to shield the home side’s back-four.
Bernardo Silva will slot into the central midfield role, whereas Kevin de Bruyne is expected to start in the attacking midfield position. The duo would be determined to set up some clear-cut goal scoring chances for the front men.
Ilkay Gundogan will have to settle for a place on the bench, but he could come on to make a cameo appearance in the second half.
Attack
Raheem Sterling and Riyad Mahrez will take up the wide positions, playing on the left and right-wing, respectively.
Phil Foden will lead the line for Manchester City in midweek. The England international will be hoping to get his name on the scoresheet when he faces off against the Atletico defence that conceded three goals in their last five matches across all competitions.
