Manchester City failed to find a way past a resilient and confident Huddersfield Town as they were held to a 0-0 draw against the Championship high-flyers. The fixture pile-up continues for City and the Sky Blues now have to play out a replay next week. But as of now, they have to shift their focus onto the all-important Champions League clash against the free-scoring Monaco side. Monaco are vying for the top spot with PSG, who smashed Barcelona in the first leg and Monaco would be looking to follow suit. As of now, City are the only English team who are likely to make a foray into the latter rounds with Arsenal out of the picture and Leicester City having real issues dealing with the likes of Millwall.
The match will be an entertaining one between two advocates of attacking football but according to popular consensus, City will have issues in dealing with the free-scoring French side.
JOHN STONES VS RADAMEL FALCAO
The England international became the costliest British defender when he moved from Everton to Manchester City for approximately £50m. But he hasn’t yet settled down properly and has missed the presence of someone like Kompany beside him. He has had to lead the defence at times on his own and with the intricate style of play demanded by Pep, has been caught making mistakes more often than not. But he will not be spared if he ends up fluffing his lines with the lethal Monaco striker, Falcao on the prowl. He has scored 18 goals already this term and will be relishing the opportunity of facing a nervy and jittery City backline.
JOAO MOUTINHO VS KEVIN DE BRUYNE
Moutinho, like always, has been an instrumental part of the set up at Monaco. His calm and collected manner of play rubs off on his teammates and his passing range and his awareness results in the player dictating terms in midfield. But he will be up against a side, who pride themselves on doing the same.
Under Pep, the likes of De Bruyne have been handed significant defensive duties as well and he will be up against the Portuguese in a battle to dictate terms.
JEMERSON VS SERGIO AGUERO
It will be a South American battle between this Brazilian centre-half and the under-fire Argentine Sergio Aguero as the two square up on Tuesday night. Monaco rely on their forwards to score goals and win them games while City do the same. In that scenario, if a defender can aid his team by keeping someone like Aguero quiet, it will be a massive bonus. Sergio hasn’t been in the best of forms and needs to start performing now.
