Manchester City continue their UEFA Champions League campaign with their first away trip to AS Monaco.
After a slightly shaky start the Blues have turned their form around, and are looking to continue their current
five match unbeaten run in the south of France.
Their opponents, meanwhile, come into this one having been heavily defeated in their first group phase match against Club Brugge and losing 3-1 to Lorient in Ligue 1 at the weekend.
Here are five things to look out for on Matchday Two of the Champions League:
Rodri in training – but not to start
We were welcomed with the great news on Tuesday morning that both Rodri and Rayan Cherki are back in training ahead of the Champions League clash.
Rodri has missed City’s last two games, with the Burnley game certainly being due to pain in his knee (the one where he suffered the injury that ruled him out of almost the entirety of last season.)
Cherki, meanwhile, has been absent for almost a month with a muscle injury and hasn’t been included in the squad after just one training session.
Rodri has been included, however, he shouldn’t start. The last thing we want is him being forced off with more pain in his knee by rushing him back too soon.
He can come on to build up match sharpness, but I think it would be too risky to see the 2024 Ballon D’or winner start when Nico Gonzalez can fill his boots adequately.
Who starts on the right wing?
That in itself is a difficult question for City, with as many as four options available to play there.
If we assume Phil Foden will continue playing as a number ten, that leaves Bernardo Silva, Savinho, Oscar Bobb and Cherki as his other options.
I personally think Guardiola will opt for Bernardo. His experience and wise decision making means he’s important for games like this, not to mention that he’s a former Monaco player so will relish the chance to play back in front of his old fans.
I’d like to see Bobb play after a promising cameo against Burnley. I also wouldn’t mind Savinho starting; his pace and energy could cause a problem to a Monaco defence that has struggled in recent weeks.
Monaco’s threats
Monaco, for all their recent struggles, have some very familiar names in their ranks who could cause City problems.
Eric Dier, Takumi Minamino, Folarin Balogun, Ansu Fati, Mohammed Salisu and Paul Pogba are all former Premier League players to feature against City before.
Any team knows they can get at City with direct football through a midfield that’s still gelling and balls over the top of the backline, so City must be weary of that.
Nunes keeps his place at right back
With Abdukodir Khusanov still injured, I expect Matheus Nunes to start on the right of City’s back four.
The Portuguese international divides opinion within the City fanbase, but one thing that is undeniable about Nunes is that he’s athletic, hardworking and stepped up a lot last season when playing out of position to help the team.
He still makes plenty of mistakes, but he also has valuable recovery pace which is a trait only Khusanov from the current squad could really be said to have.
His goal and assist against Burnley have earned him the chance to start this one, but he’ll know he has pressure from the soon to return Uzbekistan international and Rico Lewis too.
Another win for City?
The Blues are playing with renewed confidence and could make it five wins in six in all competitions tonight.
Monaco will have a good home atmosphere and will make it tough for City, but it’s undeniable that Guardiola’s side have already shown a step forward this season.
I expect City to win, and if they score early, they could control the game and do it in style.
