Hard-pressed Manchester City travel to the Ukrainian capital for the first leg of their round of 16 clash against Dynamo Kiev, aiming to halt their 3-game losing streak.
The Skyblues were blown away by Chelsea 5-1 in their previous outing wherein manager Manuel Pellegrini came under heavy criticism for fielding an under-strength side, but will have to shush the naysayers by picking up a win in Europe and also get City's faltering season back on track.
It’s easier said than done though, as the Ukrainian champions have won each of their last 6 games in all competitions, but City can take advantage of the fact that they haven’t played any competitive game since the 1-0 win over Maccabi Tel-Aviv back in December.
Kickoff and Telecast
Date and Time: 25th February 2016 – 01:15 AM (IST)
Live Telecast: Ten Action, Ten HD
Venue: Kiev Olympic Stadium, Ukraine
Team News
Hosts Dynamo Kiev will carry out medical tests to determine the fitness of their talismanic winger Andriy Yarmolenko, but otherwise, have a full strength squad to choose from.
Contrastingly, Manchester City enter the fray with a raft of concerns.While they have Eliquim Mangala back in the team for the first time in 10 games, they travel without Fabian Delph, Kevin De Bruyne, Samir Nasri, Jesus Navas, Wilfried Bony and Bacary Sagna, all of whom remain in the treatment room back in Manchester.
Probable line-ups
Dynamo Kiev (4-2-3-1): Shovkovskiy; Silva, Khacheridi, Dragovic, Vida; Sydorchuk, Rybalka; Yarmolenko, Garmash, Gonzalez; Moraes.
Manchester City (4-2-3-1): Hart; Otamendi, Kompany, Clichy, Zabaleta; Fernandinho, Fernando; Toure, Sterling, Silva; Aguero.
Team Form
Dynamo Kiev may not have kicked a ball since mid-December, but their previous 5 outings should give them the confidence to kick off the year in the same vein. The reigning Ukrainian champions have won each of their last 5 games, scoring 14 times and conceding just once.
In the Champions League this season, Kiev were defeated just once in the group stage – a 2-1 loss to Chelsea – and have been quite impressive otherwise.
Last 5 matches: W-W-W-W-W (Last result: Dynamo Kiev 1-0 Maccabi Tel-Aviv)
On the flip side, Manchester City head to Ukraine with their confidence at its lowest ebb. Firstly, they were humiliated 3-1 at home by Leicester City and lost further ground in the Premier League with a 2-1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur, again at home. Their miserable week was summed up when Chelsea crushed an under-strength City side 5-1 to knock them out of the FA Cup.
That leaves the Citizens fighting on just two fronts - the Champions League and the League Cup, where they play Liverpool in the final this weekend. Manager Manuel Pellegrini is into his final few months at the helm of City, but must pull a rabbit out of his hat to end his tenure on a positive note.
Last 5 matches: W-W-L-L-L (Last result: Chelsea 5-1 Manchester City)
Key stats
- The two sides last met in a competitive game in the Europa League back in 2011 and at the same stage where Dynamo Kiev prevailed 2-1 on aggregate.
- Dynamo Kiev are into their first knock-out round of theChampions League since 2000, whilst this is Manchester City’s third on the bounce.
- No English team has won in Ukraine in the last 5 attempts.
- Sergio Aguero has scored 15 goals in his last 16 Champions League starts.
Key Battle
Andriy Yarmolenko vs Vincent Kompany
The biggest threat coming from the hosts will be Andriy Yarmolenko, who has struck 13 times in all competitions this season and also has 9 assists to his name. The Ukraine centre-forward can take on defences head on and always has a keen eye for goal.
The home side will naturally bet their bottom dollar on him to supply the goods upfront, but he’ll have to get the better of Vicent Kompany first. The Manchester City skipper is his side's most trusted man at the back and over the years, has established a fine reputation for himself.
The towering Belgian possesses great vision and has the knack of getting to the right place at the right time. How much he is successful in shutting up Yarmolenko will go a long way in deciding the first leg.
Prediction
Manchester City enter the game in the worst possible way. After 3 consecutive defeats, their confidence has taken a bruising and the host of injuries they’ve been plagued with has only served to compound their misery.
Dynamo Kiev will obviously look to take undue advantage of this, but City's quality may put them through. Just by a hair's breadth.
Predicted score: Dynamo Kiev 1-2 Manchester City
Betting Preview (bet365)
Dynamo Kiev - 5/2
Draw – 12/5
Manchester City – 6/5
