A monumental clash awaiting…

April 11, 2024 fulltimesport Other Clubs 0

Manchester City’s ideal schedule would be a home matchup versus Luton if they could choose a Premier League match to play in between their two Champions League matchups with Real Madrid.

Despite surrendering twice in the FA Cup and going behind at Kenilworth Road in the league, City hasn’t had an easy time against Luton this season. However, with eight goals to three in their favor, the Blues will be optimistic of a victory to keep things moving in the championship fight. This season, no team has given up more goals on the road than Sheffield United, and only they have gained less points away from home.

Nathan Ake and Kyle Walker did not go to Madrid, and it seems doubtful that they will play Luton again. Even in the event thatThere aren’t many possibilities to replace him, but Rico Lewis can start at right-back and push Manu Akanji inside because he’s been playing well since scoring at Palace. To relieve some of the burden on either Akanji, Josko Gvardiol, or Ruben Dias, Sergio Gomez may then be called in from the cold on the left. The trio can then be rotated using the substitutes such that no one plays for ninety minutes.

Kyle Walker and Nathan Ake didn’t travel to Madrid, and it feels a return against Luton is unlikely. Even if they were fit, it may be better to ease them back off the bench. Rodri confirmed that John Stones was playing with an injury, and Guardiola admitted he didn’t want to play Stones for 90 minutes three days earlier at Crystal Palace. Surely he must be rested on Saturday.

 

In goal, however well Stefan Ortega is playing, part of Guardiola’s doubts over starting Ederson at the Bernabeu was his match fitness. He won’t regain that by sitting on the bench, so Ederson should be recalled against Luton.

Rodri told reporters in Madrid that he ‘needs a rest’, and Luton is a prime candidate of a fixture to provide that. Mateo Kovacic can drop into the holding role as he did in the cup at Kenilworth Road, with Matheus Nunes coming in alongside him in midfield just like he did in the same game. Crucially, that gives Rodri a useful 90 minutes off, with eight days between the two Madrid match-ups.

Be the first to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.


*