A number of talking points ahead of tonight’s Champions League clash against Hoffenheim, a word from the opposition, plus a look back to one particular game in 2017 feature in today’s media watch…
First up, Manchester Evening News.
Simon Bajkowski believes that our final Group F game could see Gabriel Jesus “shine” at the Etihad, following his first senior hat-trick against Shakhtar Donetsk.
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READ: Talking points | City v Hoffenheim
“Two penalties filled him with the confidence required to strike a delicious chip over the goalkeeper to complete his treble last month, a combination of quality and boldness that saw him burst onto the scene at the Etihad but has not been seen enough this season,” Bajkowski writes.
“Pep Guardiola explained the tactics behind leaving the Brazilian out at Stamford Bridge, but it must still rankle to be the only centre-forward available for selection and find yourself on the bench.
“Jesus needs a pick-me-up to get back smiling again on a regular basis, and has found that before in the Champions League.”
The MEN journalist also believes the upcoming match could be the chance for Phil Foden to start.
The newspaper adds: “Phil Foden has committed his long-term future to the Blues, so what chance a start?
“Guardiola talked him up to the heavens before Lyon, knowing that he had Ilkay Gundogan, Bernardo Silva and Kevin De Bruyne missing. But he also knows he wouldn’t be starting the Englishman and whether he would have impressed or not using Sterling out of position instead helped City lose control of the midfield and, ultimately, the game.
“While this game is as close to a dead rubber as it comes and rotation would be useful in a busy month, the manager takes this competition seriously and can use the argument that a point is still needed to top the group to justify few changes.”
Next, over to the Daily Mail as we hear from Hoffenheim boss Julien Nagelsmann and striker Andrej Kramaric.
Kramaric explained: “We are still hoping. This would not be the first time we have seen miracles in football. We believe in ourselves.
“We are playing against one of the best teams in the world with some of the best players in the world but everything is possible.”
While his boss has this to say: “Even as an optimist you’d say it was difficult. We have to be on top of our game.
“But we don’t have a huge amount to lose. We can enjoy the game. Perhaps we can relax and play the football that got us to the Champions League.”
READ: City v Hoffenheim | Team news
Finally, ahead of our clash against Everton this weekend, an article in Sky Sports looks back to our 4-0 loss against the Toffees back in 2017 and explain how it shaped our record-breaking season.
“Here, we revisit that 4-0 reverse at Goodison Park and explore why that loss was the catalyst for change that led City on their journey to becoming Premier League champions,” Sky Sports explains.
“This was the heaviest ever league defeat of Guardiola and also Everton’s biggest ever Premier League victory over Manchester City. Remarkably, they achieved the feat by scoring with all four of their shots on target.
“The result all but ended City’s title hopes as it left them 10 points behind leaders Chelsea, but the bigger concern was their top-four prospects. Guardiola‘s men were also adrift of Tottenham, Liverpool and Arsenal after 21 games of the Premier League season.”
But what happened next?
“City lost only one of remaining 16 Premier League games that season, finishing the campaign on a high with four consecutive wins in which they scored a total of 15 goals. It was enough to secure third spot and Champions League football.
“Guardiola introduced more pace to his defence in the following season. The team that lost 4-0 to Everton was transformed and the rest is history.”
That’s all for today’s media watch, but we will be back tomorrow with all the latest headlines from the back pages…
