Man City given helping hand to complete Champions League victory – Simon Bajkowski

Gladbach points laid naked

Marco Rose did a superb job in his pre-match press convention of laying out precisely the place his facet will battle in opposition to Manchester Metropolis.

Borussia Monchengladbach is probably not gifting away a lot, he stated, however every little thing they’re gifting away in the meanwhile they’re being punished for – which is damaging for a crew. The Blues are higher at forcing errors than almost every other crew – as they confirmed within the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie – and have been warned by Pep Guardiola that they can not afford to be as wasteful.

Not solely that, however Rose had tuned in to Metropolis’s win over Southampton final week and heard with some amusement the query of what had occurred to Southampton’s vitality within the second half. The reply, the Gladbach boss thought, is that it’s extremely tough to dwell with this Guardiola machine for 90 minutes. If Metropolis can keep affected person, they are going to get their alternatives.

Each recreation counts

The nearer we get to the top of the season, the extra significance is connected to every recreation. This match would not look to be that high-profile given Metropolis carry a 2-0 lead into it, however or unhealthy efficiency can have an effect on whether or not a participant will characteristic within the FA Cup quarter-final at Everton and play within the supervisor’s thoughts over the worldwide break.

If Guardiola is ready to go away Raheem Sterling out of his squad completely for a match, then only a few gamers might be assured of a spot each week.

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Proving Guardiola’s level

Metropolis have not reached the heights that had been anticipated of them within the Champions League underneath a supervisor that has beforehand gained the competitors twice, however a fourth consecutive quarter-final is value respecting in a yr the place Barcelona and Juventus are among the many sides that will not be within the draw for the subsequent spherical.

Whereas the Blues are nonetheless ready for his or her breakthrough second on this event, they will consolidate their place as probably the most constant groups in Europe by doing what they need to do in opposition to Gladbach to undergo.

Aguero again within the objectives

Sergio Aguero was given the chance to finish his Premier League aim drought on Saturday as he stepped as much as smash a penalty dwelling in opposition to Fulham.

It has been tough for the 32-year-old to get again within the crew with issues going so effectively and the relentless schedule of video games, however he appeared sharp on the weekend and took his probability effectively. Whether or not he can begin once more for a second recreation in 4 days will say quite a bit about the place Guardiola thinks the ahead is at when it comes to health and kind.