Real Football Man All of the Football, All of the time
Pep Guardiola’s debut Champions League season with Manchester City once again returns to action this Evening as they play host to Ligue 1 leaders Monaco at The Etihad. Monaco have already had joy against English opposition in the competition already this season and will be looking to continue that streak later on.
That’s because Monaco have already made light work of Tottenham in the group stages. Leonardo Jardim’s side managed to the double over Mauricio Pochettino’s side with victories racked up in both Wembley and Monte Carlo earlier in the season.
The likes of Bernando Silva and Thomas Lemar will be looking forward to being once again unleashed on English defences and their performances have attracted the attention of a number of top European clubs looking to acquire their services in the Summer.
For captain Radamel Falcao it’s a return to Manchester of sorts, the Colombian international had that almost forgettable loan stint at Manchester United during the 2014-15 season. One that saw him register just 4 league goals in 26 appearances.
It’s fair to say that after miserable loan spells at both Manchester United and Chelsea, the former Atletico Madrid forward is a lot closer to the kind of player that earned himselves the 60 million Euro move to Monaco in the first place.
When you talk of being unleashed, the plan Tonight for Pep Guardiola would have no doubt been to have done the same with Gabriel Jesus but with the Brazilian set to miss at least the next 2-3 months his Champions League bow may have to wait until next season.
City come into this game off the back of what many would have called a frustrating afternoon away at Huddersfield in the F.A. Cup, like I say many would have called it frustrating but Pep Guardiola felt the word tough was a more accurate description.
That’s because David Wagner’s Huddersfield side matched City’s all star line up from the off and were good level for the 0-0 draw that has earned them a replay at The Etihad next week. Perhaps City’s players were too busy focusing on Tonight’s action with domestic cup action being a mere distraction.
With the injury to Gabriel Jesus it cannot be all that bad when you can rely on Sergio Aguero as your backup Striker. The injury to Jesus may well have just helped Aguero’s long term future at the club as this extended run of games under his belt will no doubt keep their diminutive Argentine happy.
City have been made to work as of late, it’s not just the draw against Huddersfield but they also were made to dig in during their last Premier League exploits. They did eventually come away with all three points from The Vitality Stadium but Bournemouth certainly asked questions throughout.
Pep Guardiola’s side did have the answers though and it’s a win that sees them move up to 2nd in the Premier League. After going from 5th to 2nd in one foul swoop it just goes to show the margins that are being dealt with in the race to be the best of the rest behind Chelsea.
Monaco come into this game three points of Nice at the top of Ligue 1 with perennial champions PSG a further point behind, the leaders have only lost one of their last 10 league matches but they did see their winning streak ended at the weekend then they were held by Bastia.
Will it be Monte Carlo or bust for City or can they take a healthy advantage into the return leg. I think they will certainly pose more of a challenge that a very disappointing Tottenham did earlier in the competition. I’ll go for a City win but still a hint of interest going into the 2nd leg.
