Arsenal
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F02%2Fimago1060806691-698a0d27cf82d015974945.jpg?w=360&resize=360,180&ssl=1 "Next Watford manager: Edward Still confirmed as new Hornets head coach")
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F02%2Fns-photo-badge-email-sportmole-15-6984699044396165427117.jpg?w=360&resize=360,180&ssl=1 "Chelsea 2-2 Leeds United: Liam Rosenior admits Blues making “poor decisions in key moments” after “ridiculous” Lilywhites comeback"){kind=icon}
Manchester Metropolis proceed their UEFA Champions League marketing campaign as they welcome Bayer Leverkusen to the Etihad Stadium.
The Blues are reeling off the again of a vastly disappointing 2-1 defeat to Newcastle United on the weekend within the Premier League, however smashed Borussia Dortmund 4-1 final trip in Europe.
Listed here are 5 issues to look out for in Champions League motion:
Will Echeverri get to play?
Metropolis loanee Claudio Echeverri has endured a troublesome time to this point enjoying for Bayer Leverkusen.
The Argentinian could nicely have discovered himself staying as a part of the squad this season hadn’t it been for a surplus of gamers within the first group squad, however as it’s, he and his agent ignored Metropolis’s recommendation and went to Leverkusen as an alternative of Girona.
As it’s, Echeverri has performed simply 11% of minutes accessible to him within the Bundesliga this season, and doesn’t have a single objective contribution. He’s performed barely extra within the Champions League, however nonetheless has recorded only one help and 135 minutes of soccer throughout 4 appearances.
Guardiola when requested stated it was as much as his “lovely agent” as as to whether the previous River Plate attacking midfielder could be recalled within the winter window, however he’s caught at Leverkusen no less than till January.
Hopefully we’ll get to see him play a couple of minutes this night because it’ll be a invaluable studying expertise for him (and if he has any sense, he gained’t get again on the airplane to Germany!)
A couple of adjustments from Newcastle on Saturday
Metropolis had been okay in opposition to Newcastle on Saturday, however in attacking areas left rather a lot to be need.
Erling Haaland had his worst recreation of the season to this point however with 32 objectives already for membership and nation this season it’d be ludicrous to contemplate dropping him.Phil Foden and Rayan Cherki, who had been each beneath par, might not be so fortunate, particularly with the likes of Omar Marmoush, Tijjani Reijnders, Savinho and Oscar Bobb ready within the wings.
I’d prefer to see a number of gamers who carried out poorly maybe due to a construct up of video games be rested tonight, and it’d be good to see the likes of Reijnders, Marmoush, Nathan Ake and probably a number of others begin for the primary time shortly.
Haaland again amongst the objectives
Metropolis’s quantity 9 might be completely itching to get again amongst the objectives after firing blanks in opposition to the Magpies on Saturday night.
The 25-year-old is approaching a landmark 100 Premier League objectives in a file quick time, and a pair tonight could be good preparation for him smashing the file in opposition to Leeds United on Saturday.
And you’ll by no means again in opposition to Haaland scoring, are you able to?
Nico afforded a relaxation at some stage
With Mateo Kovacic out for the foreseeable future and Rodri struggling fixed muscular setbacks following his ACL harm final season, Metropolis are extraordinarily reliant on Nico Gonzalez in the intervening time.
Metropolis had been poor in opposition to Aston Villa when none of that trio began, with Reijnders enjoying and struggling because the deepest mendacity midfielder.
But when Metropolis are comfortably forward tonight, I might see Nico being afforded a couple of minutes of relaxation with video games in opposition to Leeds, Fulham and Sunderland all developing within the subsequent week or so.
John Stones could be my first alternative choice to play there, however Reijnders, Bernardo and even Nico O’Reilly might be short-term fixes there.
A possibility for Metropolis to get again to profitable methods
As I stated in my post-match evaluation of the Newcastle defeat, I don’t assume there are actual indicators of this being something critical for Metropolis – only a blip after a superb run.
That stated, questions could also be requested if the Blues disappoint once more and lose within the Champions League to a facet who’ve been picked aside this summer time in dropping their supervisor Xabi Alonso to Actual Madrid and three key gamers in Granit Xhaka, Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong to Premier League sides.
It is a likelihood for Metropolis to nip any doubts within the bud and maybe begin a profitable run forward of the start of the busy Christmas interval.
