Manchester City will be quietly confident of qualifying to the Champions League semi final after coming away from Paris with a 1-1 result and the all important away goal.
With the return leg midweek, manager Manuel Pellegrini will be in two minds whether to field his strongest side this weekend against West Brom or rest his key players.
To the delight of all City fans, Yaya Toure has announced his fitness and will be available for both West Brom and the game against PSG. Having said that, Pellegrini would ideally like to rest his big three players Silva, Aguero and in particular Kevin De Bruyne.
The Belgian playmaker has become City’s biggest player since his £56milion move from Wolfsburg. After a 2-month gap, De Bruyne has managed to score 2 goals in as many matches and has suddenly made City a more dangerous side going forward.
Predicted2 Man City lineup vs. West Brom
Ideally, Pellegrini should rest both De Bruyne as well as Aguero and look to use Wilfried Bony with Samir Nasri in attack. By doing so, it will allow Yaya Toure to play in the number 10 role or from central midfield depending on whether Pellegrini wants to rest David Silva or not.
One certain change we will see from City in their full-back areas where Pablo Zabaleta and Alekasandar Kolarov would come in from Bacry Sagna and Gael Clichy. Central defender and central midfield would remain the same as against PSG while City’s attack will have a completely new look.
Nasri made his return from injury against PSG and he is expected to start this weekend with City’s forgotten man Wilfried Bony. The £30million striker needs to step up as his team needs a well rested Sergio Aguero for the Champions League tie against Ligue 1 Champions.
Earlier in the season, we saw Manuel Pellegrini pick his B team in order to have all the stars rested for Champions League matches. Since he will no longer be in charge at the club next season, it is completely his call as to which competition he wants to prioritize this season.
City are involved in a tight race for the top 4 finish this season with Manchester United and West Ham hot on their heels. However, if City were to win the Champions League, they would no longer have to worry about the top 4 finish. Perhaps Pellegrini usthinking along those lines this season.
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