Manchester City vs. Bayern Munich: Sergio Aguero Is Crucial to Citizens' Victory

When they face Bayern Munich in their must-win UEFA Champions League clash at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday night, Manchester City will be looking to Sergio Aguero to fire them to victory.

City go into the game bottom of Group E with just two points, and they will be knocked out of the competition should they fail to beat Bayern and either CSKA Moscow or Roma win their match.

City are without several key players for the game. Fernandinho and Yaya Toure are both suspended after red cards in City's last European outing, while David Silva, Edin Dzeko and Aleksandar Kolarov are sidelined with injury.

While the Citizens still have plenty of quality to call upon, it will fall to star forward Aguero to help his team overcome the in-form Bundesliga leaders. The Argentinian striker has netted 14 times in just 16 outings this season, and manager Manuel Pellegrini will need him to replicate this form for City to win.

Despite them sitting out of a training session on Monday, Pellegrini insists that Aguero and team-mate Stevan Jovetic will be fit to face Bayern.

According to Andy Hampson of The Independent, the Chilean said: "Both of them, Aguero and Jovetic, are in the squad list for tomorrow. They have no problems for tomorrow night."

As noted by Chris Wheeler of the Daily Mail, Pellegrini was hired in order to help City progress in European competition.

Should the Sky Blues be eliminated from the Champions League, they will have failed to reach the knockout stage twice in three seasons, and they could face an even tougher draw next year as they would slip down the seedings.

Speaking on Monday to Sky Sports, Pellegrini said: "It is important for this club to do well in Europe. Tomorrow the team will fight to the end to continue in the Champions League. Nobody—not me nor the team—is happy with the way we've played this group stage, and we have a last chance."

Despite having already qualified for the next stage, Bayern manager Pep Guardiola insists that his side will not be making it easy for City.

Per Wheeler, he said: "We can't just be here for fun. We have come here to play. It's very important for the club. At the end of the day, we are Bayern Munich. We're very happy that we are through to the knockout rounds... But we want to produce a performance."

Alex Livesey/Getty Images

Bayern have lost just once in all competitions this season, scoring a massive 49 goals and conceding just eight in 19 games. Of the eight goals conceded, only three have come since Bayern beat City on September 17.

However, to City's advantage, Bayern Munich are also without several key players through injury. Captain Philipp Lahm, David Alaba, Javi Martinez and Holger Badstuber are among those out, and the absence of these defensive-minded players adds an element of vulnerability to Munich.

These injuries could force Guardiola to deploy midfielder Sebastian Rode—who has made just two starts this season—as a left-back, according to Wheeler.

This is where Aguero can shine.

The 26-year-old will look to exploit the uncertainty in Bayern's defence, and as Bayern dominate the possession and push forward, Aguero's pace will prove to be a huge threat as City look to counter-attack quickly.

In true Guardiola-style, Bayern will look to press City and close them down quickly.

When the Citizens make it into the opposition penalty area, they will not be allowed to dwell on the ball and will have to be quick to get their shots off.

There are few strikers in world football better suited to this than Aguero.

The Argentinian's notoriously quick feet will help him control incoming passes and shoot before the defence can close him down.

What's more, Aguero boasts an impressive shooting accuracy of 66 per cent this season, hitting the target 31 times in the Premier League, per Squawka.

This ability will be crucial as City could find their chances few and far between as Bayern control the play. 

The Sky Blues face an extremely tough test on Tuesday night, but with his eye for goal and lightning pace, Aguero can cause serious problems for Bayern. If City are victorious, he will be crucial.