Man City vs. Dynamo Kiev: Team News, Predicted Lineups, Live Stream, TV Info
After drawing with Norwich City on Saturday in the Premier League—a result which surely ended any lingering title hopes—Manchester City turn their attentions to the Champions League when they take on Dynamo Kiev on Tuesday in the second leg of their last-16 tie.
City are 3-1 up from the first leg in Ukraine and will feel they have one foot in the quarter-finals. If the Etihad Stadium club do make progress on Tuesday, it’ll be the first time since they qualified for the competition on 2011 that they have made it to the last eight.
It’s been a strange campaign for the Blues. A League Cup win and an improvement in their European performances have been badly offset by what has been an insipid Premier League season. To have just 51 points from 29 games with the quality at their disposal is nothing short of dreadful.
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The first leg, however, was a mismatch, with City the dominant side for virtually the entire match. They will strongly fancy their chances of making it through.
And from there, who knows? It looks as though there will be some winnable ties in the last eight, given the way the draw has panned out.
Date: Tuesday, 15 March
Kick-off: 7.45 p.m. GMT/2.45 a.m. ET
TV Listings: FOX Sports 1 (US - English); ESPN Deportes (US - Spanish); TSN5 (Canada); BT Sport Europe (UK)
Live Stream: FOX Sports GO, FOX Soccer 2GO, Watch ESPN (US); BT Sport live streaming (UK)
Form Guide
Manchester City
Norwich City 0-0 Manchester City
Manchester City 4-0 Aston Villa
Liverpool 3-0 Manchester City
Liverpool 1-1 Manchester City (Capital One Cup final—City won on pens)
Dynamo Kiev 1-3 Manchester City (UEFA Champions League)
".@vincentkompany aims for another "big achievement" tomorrow night.
— Manchester City FC (@MCFC) March 14, 2016"
WATCH: https://t.co/EwYbylxB6L #CMONCITY https://t.co/3ivC6DxoCJ
Dynamo Kiev
Karpaty Lvov 1-2 Dynamo Kiev
Dynamo Kiev 2-0 Dnipro
Dynamo Kiev 1-3 Manchester City (Champions League)
Dynamo Kiev 1-0 Maccabi Tel Aviv (Champions League)
Metalurg 0-6 Dynamo Kiev
Predicted Formations
Manchester City
Manuel Pellegrini is without Fabian Delph, Kevin De Bruyne and Samir Nasri, all of whom are back in some form of training. Pellegrini said a behind-closed-doors match is potentially being scheduled for the international break in order for them to increase their fitness levels. Yaya Toure is back after missing the game with Norwich with an ankle knock.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Pellegrini insisted his side would be taking nothing for granted, despite having a lead.
"I think we have improved in the competition because before I arrived here this group didn't qualify for the last 16," he said. "We did it twice in the last two years. I think this year we have improved a little bit more because we have won the group and now we have the option to continue to the next round.
"The most important thing is to know that we are not already qualified. We play against a big team who know how to play this type of game, so that for me is the first target of the club. After that, we try to see who we have to play in the quarter-finals."
Out: Delph (calf), De Bruyne (knee), Jose Tasende (suspended) Nasri (knee).
Doubtful: None.
Misses next match if booked: None.
Predicted XI: Hart; Zabaleta, Kompany, Otamendi, Kolarov; Fernando, Fernandinho, Toure; Sterling, Silva, Aguero.
""Let's make history!"
— Manchester City FC (@MCFC) March 14, 2016"
Joe Hart challenges team mates to break new #UCL ground: https://t.co/wURPHMTk6r #CMONCITY pic.twitter.com/kutVTUYi02
Dynamo Kiev
Kiev boss Sergei Rebrov told UEFA's official website his side must not be inhibited by nerves.
"We will try to rid ourselves of the nerves. I think we have a chance provided the players don't feel nervous. If they are relaxed they will create chances. We will fight for a result, regardless of the result of the first leg.
We have to be focused, we have to work hard and we have to be strong. But most of all we have to be a team. We have a lot of good players, but we have to be a team. We want to play at full steam from the start of the match - but it doesn't always happen.
"
Out: Rybka (knee), Morozyuk (knee), Moraes (abductor), Petrovic, Burda, Myakushko (not selected), Rybalka (groin).
Doubtful: Danilo Silva (muscle).
Misses next match if booked: Danilo Silva, Rybalka, Korzun, Buyalskiy.
Predicted XI: Shovkovskiy; Vida, Khacheridi, Dragovic, Antunes; Veloso, Buyalskiy, Garmash, Yarmolenko, Gusev; Teodorczyk.
""We still have a chance..." Rebrov bullish on @DynamoKyiv hopes.
— Manchester City FC (@MCFC) March 14, 2016"
Read: https://t.co/fOnBz6QQdx #cityvkyib pic.twitter.com/aMCyRyiN1y
Players To Watch
Manchester City: Yaya Toure
Toure was badly missed on Saturday at Norwich, and he is likely to walk straight back into Pellegrini’s starting lineup.
Some say he’s finished, a player with nothing left to offer who should exit the club at the first available opportunity. Other more level-headed observers feel he’s still a hugely talented, unique midfielder who—when used appropriately—can be influential to the team.
The huge hole left in midfield at Anfield recently and again on Saturday show he remains one of City’s most important players.
Dynamo Kiev: Andriy Yarmolenko
Andriy Yarmolenko is by far the most talented player in the Kiev side.
He plays on the right of an attacking midfield three, with the ability to pick passes and provide moments of genuine craft and intelligence clear for all to see.
He even stood out in the first leg, despite City’s dominance. Kiev didn’t put together too many inventive moves, but when they did, he was generally at the heart of the them.
He’s got excellent feet and a quick footballing brain. Kiev’s danger man.
Key Battle: Sergio Aguero vs. Aleksandar Dragovic
If Kiev are to be successful and overturn the first-leg deficit, they must do a better job of stopping Sergio Aguero than they did in the game three weeks ago.
It’s easier said than done, of course. Aguero is one of the world’s best strikers, who can inflict damage in the blink of an eye. In Kiev, though, he could have scored four or five, such was the room he was afforded.
Much of the defensive responsibility in this Kiev side rests with Aleksandar Dragovic. He is their leader and organiser, as well as their most competent defender.
He'll need to have the game of his life to stop the Argentinian.
Odds (via Odds Shark)
City: -175
Kiev: +475
Draw: +300
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_.
