Manchester City vs. Monaco: Team News, Preview, Live Stream, TV Info for UCL Tie
Manchester City return to UEFA Champions League action on Tuesday when they host AS Monaco in the first leg of their last-16 tie.
Sky Blues manager Pep Guardiola will be looking for a much-improved performance from City's goalless draw against Championship side Huddersfield Town in the FA Cup fifth round on Saturday.
To give themselves the best chance of qualification to the last eight, City will likely need to earn a lead to take with them to the Stade Louis II for the second leg, as Monaco's home form has been superb this season.
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Read on for a preview of the action, along with viewing details and all the latest team news.
Date: Tuesday, Feb. 21
Time: 7:45 p.m. GMT, 2:45 p.m. ET
TV Info: BT Sport 2 (UK), FS1 (U.S.)
Live Stream: BT Sport Player, FOX Sports Go
Team News
Sergio Aguero is likely to head the City attack against the Ligue 1 leaders after Gabriel Jesus—who had replaced the Argentinian in the starting lineup—broke his foot in a recent clash with Bournemouth.
He is set to be sidelined for up to three months, with Guardiola comparing the loss of the Brazilian to Ilkay Gundogan's long-term problems with fitness, per the Daily Star's Marc Williams: "I am sad and also I am sad for him. Like [Ilkay] Gundogan, we miss them a lot, it's tough for them. But we had seven strikers, we are going to use another one and of course Sergio [Aguero] will be so important for us."
Attacking midfielder Gabriel Boschilia will be absent for Monaco as he recovers from a cruciate injury, per The Sun's Richard Forrester.
Likely Manchester City XI: Caballero; Sagna, Stones, Otamendi, Clichy; Toure, De Bruyne, Silva; Sterling, Aguero, Sane
Likely Monaco XI: Subasic; Toure, Glik, Jemerson, Mendy; Bernardo Silva, Fabinho, Moutinho, Lemar; Falcao, Germain
Preview
With Arsenal having lost the first leg of their last-16 tie 5-1 to Bayern Munich and Leicester City in a rotten run of form that has seen them edge closer to the Premier League's relegation zone, Guardiola's Sky Blues are England's best hope of going far in this season's Champions League.
While they avoided any of Europe's historic giants in the draw for the round of 16, they face a huge challenge to get past Monaco.
Leonardo Jardim's side have been irresistible in 2016-17 and have netted a staggering 76 goals in 26 games to move them to the top of Ligue 1.
The French outfit will be confident they can bag an important away goal at the Etihad Stadium, although they did not look at their best as they drew 1-1 with Bastia in Ligue 1 on Friday, per football writer Robin Bairner:
City do not want to go to Stade Louis II on March 15 needing a win to advance, as Monaco have won 13 of their last 14 home games in all competitions.
Guardiola's side have the personnel to overturn Monaco in Manchester and—the draw with Huddersfield aside—are in decent form having won their last three league games on the bounce.
Aguero will be vital in converting any chances City can create, and the 28-year-old is enjoying a fine season, netting 11 goals in 19 Premier League games and three in the Champions League, per WhoScored.com.
Monaco have their own hotshot marksman in the shape of former Manchester United and Chelsea loanee Radamel Falcao.
After a dismal two-season spell in the Premier League, the Colombia international has looked back to his best in 2016-17, scoring 16 times in the league at a rate of better than a goal a game, per WhoScored.
The attacking strength in both squads should make for an entertaining clash at the Etihad on Tuesday as the two teams look to earn a key advantage for the second leg.
