Dynamo Kiev vs. Manchester City: Team News, Live Stream, TV Info
Manchester City take on Dynamo Kiev in Ukraine on Wednesday knowing a positive result will put them on the brink of qualification for the Champions League quarter-final for the first time in their history.
Two last-16 exits in two seasons, losing to Barcelona on both occasions, is the furthest City have been in the competition. Topping their group for the first time means they now have a far more winnable fixture, but it's by no means a straightforward affair.
The Olympic National Sports Complex is an imposing arena, and with fans now allowed into the game after their two-match stadium ban was reduced, it could be a difficult atmosphere.
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Manuel Pellegrini has been under scrutiny for his decision to field a weakened side against Chelsea in the FA Cup at the weekend, virtually forfeiting their place in the competition.
It's made a win in this game imperative, but the Chilean says his side are under no extra pressure.
“We know this is a different competition,” Pellegrini said. “It is one of the competitions where we are looking to make progress. I know we are coming from a big defeat on Sunday, but obviously we are now 100 per cent focused on the game tomorrow.
“It will be a different game, in a different competition, so hopefully we can perform well enough to get good result.”
Date: Wednesday, 24 February
Kick-off: 7:45 p.m. GMT/2:45 p.m. ET
TV Listings: BT Sport Europe (UK) & Fox Sports 1 (US)
Live Stream: BT Sport Live Streaming (UK) & Fox Sports GO (US)
"The boss and @pablo_zabaleta were on media duty for #kyivvcity earlier today.
— Manchester City FC (@MCFC) February 23, 2016"
Watch: https://t.co/cWMXLt93NE #MCFC pic.twitter.com/Ny3siIcMIk
Form Guide
Dynamo Kiev
Maccabi Tel Aviv 0-2 Dynamo Kiev (Champions League)
Vorskla 0-4 Dynamo Kiev
Dynamo Kiev 0-3 Shakhtar Donetsk
Dynamo Kiev 0-0 Chelsea (Champions League)
Dynamo Kiev 2-0 Metalist Kharkiv
Manchester City
Chelsea 5-1 Manchester City (FA Cup)
Manchester City 1-2 Tottenham Hotspur
Manchester City 1-4 Leicester City
Sunderland 0-1 Manchester City
Aston Villa 0-4 Manchester City (FA Cup)
Predicted Formations
Dynamo Kiev
Out: Vitorino Antunes (suspended), Mykola Morozyuk (knee).
Doubtful: Andriy Yarmolenko (knee), Oleksandr Rybka (unspecified), Serhiy Sydorchuk (unspecified).
Misses next match if booked: Danilo Silva, Serhiy Rybalka, Nikita Korzun, Vitali Buyalskiy.
Shovkovskiy; Danilo Silva, Khacheridi, Dragovic, Vida; Rybalka, Garmash, Buyalskiy, Gonzalez, Yarmolenko; Teodorczyk.
Manchester City
Out: Fabian Delph (calf), Kevin De Bruyne (knee), Wilfried Bony (calf), Jesus Navas (hamstring).
Doubtful: Bacary Sagna (knee), Eliaquim Mangala (hamstring).
Misses next match if booked: None.
Hart; Zabaleta, Kompany, Otamendi, Clichy; Fernandinho, Fernando; Silva, Toure, Sterling; Aguero.
"Our #Cityzens are watching the first team train at the Olympic Stadium this evening. Can't wait for tomorrow's game! pic.twitter.com/HN3QfYlcVB
— Cityzens (@Cityzens) February 23, 2016"
Players To Watch
Dynamo Kiev: Andriy Yarmolenko
There's little doubt who the star man in the Kiev side is.
Andriy Yarmolenko, who often plays on the right of the three support players in behind a lone striker, is one of the most talented Ukrainian players of recent time.
Yarmolenko scored 13 goals and assisted eight in 22 matches in all competitions last season. He has 22 goals in 55 games for Ukraine, and 108 goals for Kiev overall.
Undoubtedly the dangerman, City's players will be made aware of his threat prior to kick-off.
Manchester City: Fernandinho
City's dynamic Brazilian, Fernandinho, has been the most consistent player in blue this season.
The 30-year-old brings energy and drive to midfield and possesses superb technical quality, and he's a classic box-to-box type—a player who contributes to both attack and defence.
In a season in which many City players have underwhelmed, he has enhanced his reputation once again.
"Pictures from training ahead of facing @DynamoKyiv tomorrow evening! ⚽
— Manchester City FC (@MCFC) February 23, 2016"
Photo time: https://t.co/rgED2cG3Xt #mcfc pic.twitter.com/TuQxOjWIW3
Odds (via Odds Shark)
Dynamo Kiev: 5-4
Manchester City: 2-1
Draw: 5-2
Rob Pollard is Bleacher Report's lead Manchester City correspondent and will be following the club from a Manchester base throughout the 2015/16 season. All quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow him on Twitter @RobPollard_.
