City return to European action with a trip to the world-famous San Siro tonight to face Atalanta in Matchday Four, looking to clinch a victory which would secure progression to the knock-out stages.
READ: Guardiola | ‘Atalanta clash start of a great week’
WATCH: Stones | ‘Young kids should look up to Fernandinho’
With Sunday’s Premier League crunch clash with Liverpool looming, much of the pre-match discussion has queried team selections and predictions, so what else have the footballing world been discussing...?
Well, there’s a rather amusing line from Atalanta midfielder Remo Freuler on the Premier League Champions’ passing ability, while there’s also talk of a City legend making a return to England...
View from the opposition
Atalanta: UCL Gasperini: ‘We play our chances’
Gian Piero Gasperini: “Despite the ability of Manchester City, it’s an opportunity for us to see where we are. We know we need to get a result to stay in the competition.
“Ultimately, we’ll see where we are in terms of quality and whether or not we can finish third to get into the Europa League.
“It’s important to get a result but it’s going to be tough against a very strong side. Thankfully, we start again at 0-0 so we’ll see how we get on.
“Manchester City will want to get points to secure top spot in the group as soon as possible. They’re a side used to playing at the highest level and they always want to win matches – and rightly so.
“For us, I expect to produce a good performance against a quality side.”
Remo Freuler: “They have great ability – very quick and very technical players.
“We need to be switched on for the entire 90 minutes.
“They can thread a through-ball even through your earhole!”
Predictions
Express: Man City team news: Predicted 4-3-3 line up vs Atalanta – Five changes ahead of Liverpool
Ben Pringle: “Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is likely to rest a number of key players for the Champions League clash with Atalanta tonight.
“City currently boast a perfect record from their three matches in the competition so far and are expected to rotate their squad with one eye on a crunch meeting with Liverpool on Sunday.
“Ederson will continue in goal while John Stones is likely to retain his spot in central defence.
“The England centre-back may be joined by Nicolas Otamendi although Eric Garcia is another option with Fernandinho likely to be rested and Aymeric Laporte a long-term absentee.
“And Joao Cancelo could replace Kyle Walker at right-back after the latter’s match-winning contribution against Southampton at the weekend.
“On the other side of defence, Benjamin Mendy could come in for Angelino with Oleksandr Zinchenko still out injured after surgery.
“In midfield, Ilkay Gundogan and Kevin de Bruyne are expected to start while Bernardo Silva could drop into a deeper role following David Silva’s muscle injury.
“Riyad Mahrez should return to the right flank and Gabriel Jesus could come in for Sergio Aguero if the Argentine striker is given the evening off.
“However, Raheem Sterling could continue on the left wing, having bagged a hat-trick against Atalanta in the reverse fixture.”
Sky Sports: Charlie Nicholas’ Champions League predictions: How will Spurs and Man City get on?
Charlie Nicholas: “Pep will want to get this done and dusted as quickly as possible with the Liverpool game on Sunday.
“Both respective sides will want to get their games over with so they can make preparations for Sunday’s massive clash.
“Atalanta will attack and this will open the game up for City. It will be tricky to navigate but they will get there.
“Charlie predicts: 1-2 “
The Sport Review: Michael Owen states his prediction for Atalanta v Man City
Michael Owen (speaking to Betvictor): “City will qualify for the knock out stages with a win in Italy and I would be surprised if Pep Guardiola’s side did not follow up their 5-1 win in the reverse fixture at the Etihad with another three points.
“The hosts have conceded 11 goals in their three group games to date although, before their defeat to Shakhtar on Matchday 2, they were unbeaten in 12 European home matches.”
In other news
Stoke-on-Trent Live: Stoke City manager latest - Manchester City hero fancies job
Martin Spinks: “A Manchester City hero, who has managed four clubs in this country, is believed to be keen on the Stoke City vacancy.
“StokeonTrentLive understands that Uwe Rosler, currently manager of Malmo in Sweden, would jump at the chance to return to England.
“The 50-year-old German has been with Malmo since the summer of 2018 and has just guided them to second in the Swedish top flight.
“As a player, Rosler is best remembered in this country for his impact as a striker at Manchester City when he averaged around a goal every three games during his 150 appearances between 1994 and 1998.”
