It’s a blockbuster Champions League encounter tonight as Manchester City host Bayern Munich at the Etihad. Pep Guardiola’s side have home advantage for the first leg of the quarter-final clash, and they’ll be keen to ensure they travel to Germany next week ahead in the tie.
City are in the quarter-finals of the competition for the sixth year in a row, and will hope Erling Haaland’s presence helps them finally get over the line in Europe this season. The striker is the top scorer in this season’s Champions League with 10 goals. He leads the line as expected, but it’s Bernardo Silva on the right wing rather than Riyad Mahrez.
Bayern have Thomas Tuchel in the dugout, two years on from when he took over at Chelsea mid-season and led them to Champions League glory, beating City in the 2021 final. He has opted not start Joao Cancelo against his former club, while Serge Gnabary leads the line. Follow all the action with Standard Sport’s LIVE blog below!
Live updates
All in the balance for City
Reminder that it’s a quick turnaround in these quarter-finals, with the second legs being played next week.
Man City could finish the season winning three trophies, but they could just as easily end up with none. Rare position for Guardiola’s side, they’ve often wrapped up the Carabao Cup and been in a strong position in the Premier League by now.
Two huge months ahead!
Tuchel’s pre-match thoughts
“Joao [Cancelo] was an option, like Sadio [Mane]. We took some last-minute decisions today in the afternoon.
“This is how it is. I can only decide on 11 in the end. Joao and Sadio were options – I think they will finish the match.”
Not long now…
Kick-off coming up at the Etihad in just under 20 minutes.
Erling Haaland has 10 goals in his last three games, taking his tally for Man City to 44 for the season. Not too shaby.
Big chance he ticks past 60 in the next couple of months, Bayern have to find a way of keeping him quiet tonight. Somehow.
It’s a rainy night in Manchester!
Revenge on the mind?
Pep Guardiola has insisted he does not look back on the 2021 Champions League final with too much regret.
Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea side got the better of City that night, but Guardiola was upbeat when discussing that defeat ahead of this clash.
“I was sad but I congratulated him and Chelsea for the victory. It happened,” the City said.
“I reviewed the game a month ago and it was not as bad as I thought. It was a tight game, like they always have been against Chelsea in this period.
“We forget it and try again.”
Ruben Dias’ press-conference thoughts
“It will be a balanced game between two very good teams,” he told reporters yesterday.
“We know we are up against a different side and obviously the Premier League is different than Bundesliga. We know it will be a balanced game between us.
“We are very sharp and ready.”
Tuchel: Cancelo has extraordinary qualities
A bit of a surprise that Joao Cancelo is named on the bench, considering Tuchel’s praise of the full-back in his pre-match conference. Perhaps felt Cancelo could be vulnerable against Grealish.
“These situations exist, I hope he can manage his emotions and he’s not over-motivated or overexcited, but also not too friendly or too shy, hopefully he can manage his emotions to be ready. I know he’s looking forward to it,” Tuchel said.
On whether the move could be made permanent in the summer, Tuchel added: “I cannot give you any serious answer to that because we have not discussed it with the club. I don’t even know the conditions from the contract.
“At the moment I’m just happy he’s my player because I’ve played many times against him and very aware of his extraordinary qualities.”
