Manchester City will host Young Boys looking to qualify for the Champions League knockout stage. The clubs meet again two weeks after the holders defeated them 3-1 at Stadion Wankdorf, although they both enter the matchday four encounter fresh off of convincing wins at home.
Preview (Manchester City vs. Young Boys)
Group G has gone exactly as planned. Man City is about to secure a spot in the knockout draw with two games remaining. They have defeated RB Leipzig and Red Star Belgrade 3-1 and Young Boys in Bern at their halfway match. Manuel Akanji scored the first goal of the game to celebrate his return to his native country. An obligatory Erling Haaland brace negated Meshka Elia’s effort. It guarantees the lopsided leaders at best a third-place finish. Victory would also guarantee a spot in Pep Guardiola’s crop for the round of 16.
As one of just four teams with a perfect record going into matchday four, Man City would also be content with a draw if Red Star Belgrade were to lose to RB Leipzig. Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, and Barcelona all have nine points from a possible nine thus far. The Citizens have not lost any of their last 27 Champions League games at the Etihad. Only Liverpool (30) has an even longer unbeaten streak among English clubs in the Champions League. They are unbeaten in 16 elite European games since their memorable Bernabeu loss to Real in May 2022.
Before their match against Young Boys, Jeremy Doku, a young player, gave Bournemouth fans something to think about. He scored one goal and provided an incredible four assists in a 6-1 thumping of the Cherries. It sent the Citizens to the top of the Premier League table. A cursory look at the standings indicates that Young Boys, who have participated in the group stages of the 2018–19 and 2021–22 Champions League before, might not be having success in their third attempt to upset the apple cart and earn a surprising top–two finish.
Team News
While the away end of the Etihad on Saturday was home to the majority of the dejected looks, the celebrations among the Citizens quickly gave way to worry for Erling Haaland, who was taken out at halftime due to an ankle twist and is now seen as a serious doubt for Young Boys’ visit. Guardiola did not completely rule out the possibility that the sensation from Scandinavia would play in midweek, but it would be surprising to see him put in danger before the match against Chelsea this coming weekend. Additionally, left-back Sergio Gomez has been sidelined with an unidentified training injury and was spotted using crutches over the weekend.
The holders’ three-pronged injury list is completed by Kevin De Bruyne (hamstring). Julian Alvarez could start at the attacking tip in place of Haaland. Phil Foden and Jack Grealish should capitalize on his anticipated absence. While Lukasz Lakomy may not be able to play until after the next international break due to a foot ailment, long-term ACL casualty Kastriot Imeri is unlikely to play again this season. Elia, on the other hand, is expected to be fine and lead the charge. Mohamed Camara, the captain, will also be balancing on thin ice this weekend as one more booking could prevent the center-back from playing in Young Boys’ possibly crucial match against Red Star in a few weeks.
Manchester City 3 – 0 Young Boys
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