The reigning European champions Manchester City will open the defense of their crown in Group G on Tuesday at the Etihad Stadium when they entertain Red Star Belgrade, with kickoff slated for 19:00 GMT.
After the Champions League eluded Pep Guardiola and Manchester City for several years, and having lost a final before, Man City and Guardiola finally won the title last season, beating Inter Milan in the final.
The treble winners will start this season’s Champions League campaign as the hot favorites to retain it, such is their quality and form now.
They will start defending their European title against Red Star in the middle of an unbeaten start to the Premier League season highlighted by commanding performances.
Even after a summer of change, where the treble winners lost Riyad Mahrez to the Saudi Pro League and Ilkay Gundogan to Barcelona, Man City have retained their edge in the Premier League and in Europe.
Pep Guardiola will hope that his main players, especially Erling Haaland, are in the mood on Tuesday as he looks to ensure his side gets off to a winning start.
The highlight for Red Star, as they visit the Etihad Stadium to face the treble winners, will be to find a way to nullify City’s strongest points while pronouncing their strengths.
Although easier said than done, Red Star will need to be compact and solid at the back. A narrow formation will allow them to squeeze the space out of the central areas and force Man City to play out wide.
Bet hereHowever, they will be playing against one of the best sides when playing with the ball in tight spaces. Red Star will need to be at their best to stand a chance.
Red Star have been in good form at the start of the Serbian SuperLiga. They have won five times in their opening six rounds of fixtures. They have scored a whopping 20 goals and conceded just five in this run.
Red Star will pose an attacking threat against Man City. The focus for the manager will be to use the optimal shape to allow them to have the ball long enough to work it to their attacking players.
Kevin DeBruyne will be the biggest miss for Pep Guardiola and Manchester City. Jack Grealish will need a late test to establish whether he can be involved.
Guardiola will also have doubts about the fitness of goalkeeper Zack Steffen.
Red Star will be without left winger Aleksandar Kai, with the 32-year-old nursing a back injury. They will also be without right winger Filippo Falco for the trip to Manchester.
Ederson; K. Walker, R. Dias, M. Akanji, N. Ake; Rodri, M. Kovacic; J. Doku, J. Alvarez, P. Foden; E. Haaland
O. Glazer; S. Mijailovic, A. Dragovic, M. Rodic; O. Bukari, J. Krasso, M. Stamenic, K. Kangwa, S. Mitrovic; V. Lucic, P. Olayinka.
Manchester City will look to dominate the ball, press high up the pitch, and control the match’s tempo from midfield. They will build from the back using their center-backs and move the ball quickly. The fullbacks will tuck into midfield to create an overload and allow for domination.
Red Star will play with a back-five and defend in numbers when out of possession. They will launch their attacks in transitions, using their pace and width to strengthen Man City.
Manchester City will have too much for Red Star and will take their first points of the group.
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