Bayern Munich vs. Manchester City: Picking the City Starting XI

Competition: UEFA Champions League

Where: Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany

When: 27th September 2011, 19:45 KO

Roberto Mancini and his multi-million pound squad of talent face their hardest game this season as they take on FC Bayern in Germany.

Drawn into an incredibly tough group, Manchester City's start was far from ideal when they drew at home to Napoli. It took an equalizer from Aleksander Kolarov to make sure City's maiden campaign amongst Europe's elite did not get off to the worst possible start.

Having only picked up a point at home to Napoli, the onus is on Manchester City perhaps not to win the game in Munich, but certainly not to lose it. Due to this, I think we will see Mancini revert to the steadier tactics he has used in the last two seasons.

Hard work, graft and tracking back will be key in this game as the plethora of talent on show representing FC Bayern will be very difficult to overcome.

Goalkeeper: Joe Hart

This position picks itself. It's one of the easiest to call in world football at the moment as Joe Hart is both performing well and head and shoulders above his colleagues in ability.

This season will be an interesting one for Joe Hart. Should Manchester City advance from the group stage, vital knockout stage experience will add to his already booming resumé and truly cement him as England's best goalkeeper.

City fans will hope that Hart's enthusiasm and talent will overcome his relative inexperience in games of this magnitude and improve further upon the display he put in against Napoli.

Left-Back: Gael Clichy

A much tougher choice than the goalkeeper is found in selecting the left-back Mancini will use. Gael Clichy, the new summer signing, has been preferred so far thanks to his lung-busting runs and attacking presence.

Aleksander Kolarov came to City's rescue at home to Napoli though, so the conundrum is a tough one.

Both players strike me as better going forward than defensively and Kolarov's lack of agility could be a worry against Bayern's explosive wingers.

Gael Clichy may be asked to play a less foraging role in defense and rely on his speed and work ethic to track back. Whichever one is picked, they're in for a 90-minute examination.

Right-Back: Micah Richards

Micah Richards, like Joe Hart, picks himself nowadays as he continues to impress, improve and survive the countless multi-million-pound personnel influxes.

He is one of the very few players who represented Manchester City before their takeover and it's a mark of how hard he's worked and what a player he's become that he's still holding down a first team spot.

Richards works hard and has phenomenal athletic abilities. He will track back, unsettle and harass the tricky Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery, and that is vital if City are to take a point or three.

Central Defence: Vincent Kompany and Joleon Lescott

With Kolo Toure out of the picture for just a little bit longer, Joleon Lescott provides able backup to the newly appointed captain Vincent Kompany.

In reserve, Manchester City don't have a lot more. Stefan Savic is a young talented prospect but lacks the experience or confidence to face up to FC Bayern at the Allianz Arena.

Richards can deputise, but so long as Kompany and Lescott are fit, they will be selected together in an easy choice pairing whilst Toure tentatively returns to first team action after being out for a six month period.

They have both made five appearances in the league and started both the Community Shield and the opening Champions League fixture. 

Central Midfield: Yaya Toure and James Milner

Nigel de Jong would be an automatic pick if it wasn't for his injury. He hasn't played since the 4-0 home thrashing of Swansea and the big game in Munich will probably come too soon for him. His lack of match practice may well rule him out or leave him with a spot on the bench if he can make it.

The same may be applied to Owen Hargreaves. While an appearance at former club would be very much in his mind as he trains hard, again it could come too soon.

Yaya Toure and James Milner are the names I expect to be announced in a 2-3-1 midfield/striking formation. They're both dynamic in their play, very capable in attacking and defending and track back consistently. Winning the battle in midfield will be crucial in gaining a point or more.

Gareth Barry didn't impress me too much in the first game against Napoli and his game may not be suited to this matchup.

The options Mancini has in midfield are incredible whoever gets picked.

Attacking Midfield Trio: David Silva, Samir Nasri and Carlos Tevez

In an attacking trio just behind the front line, I've opted for Samir Nasri, David Silva and Carlos Tevez. 

Again the possibilities are endless. There are countless players that can play in this fluid, interchanging system but I've picked the quickest of the bunch assuming Mancini will play safe, solid football and attack FC Bayern on the break.

All three are able to operate wide left, wide right and behind the striker. They will be a nightmare to mark and impossible to catch.

Critically though, the three I've selected work hard, chase the ball and put in their shift — traits that will be essential for this game.

Lone Striker: Sergio Aguero

Undoubtedly Manchester City's most capable striker, it is incredibly unlikely that we will see Sergio Aguero left out of the starting lineup.

Edin Dzeko was relatively poor against Everton during the weekend and Mario Balotelli coming on changed the game. I can't see Mancini trusting Balotelli with a starting role in such an important game however despite his heroics against Everton.

Sergio Aguero has a great understanding with compatriot Carlos Tevez and Spanish midfielder David Silva. He works for the team and drops deep if he has to in order to help out his midfield. He is worth his weight in gold and his instinctive finishing is something direly needed in a tough away game in Germany.

Key Battle: Out Wide

FC Bayern are a very attacking team, there's no question about it. They have a hugely talented roster of players and their wide personnel stands out in particular.

Phillip Lahm and Rafinha bomb forward from the full-back positions with frequency and combine well with established threats Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery.

City will need to nullify these wide threats and Joe Hart will have to concentrate a bit harder than he did against Napoli. Robben's long range shooting is something to be on constant alert for.

Lastly, Mario Gomez is currently well on top of his form for the Bundesliga stars as he bangs in the goals. The City centre-backs are sure to face their biggest test yet this season with him on the agenda.

Thanks for reading!
@stighefootball