After missing seven games across all competitions due to a muscle injury, Nathan Ake returned to the Manchester City bench as an unused substitute in their 2-1 Premier League victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers. Although back in training, Ake was not ready to start, but he could make his return in some capacity during City’s midweek fixture against Sparta Prague.
Ake Among Potential Starters
Sources indicate that Ake, along with Matheus Nunes and James McAtee, may be among those rotated into the starting lineup by Guardiola, who has been known to rotate his squad amidst a packed fixture schedule. Speaking about potential changes, a football pundit noted, “Guardiola could use this as an opportunity to test a few things. Nunes, for example, made a notable impact against Wolves and showed that City could use more pace.”
The pundit also mentioned that players like Jack Grealish and Phil Foden, who did not start against Wolves, may get the nod to start in the upcoming fixture. “It seems like a perfect game for Ake to come in, with Grealish, Nunes, and Foden also likely to feature,” he added.
Rotations Expected Amidst Busy Schedule
The football expert predicts a number of changes in the lineup, highlighting potential absences of key players like Kyle Walker and Kevin De Bruyne. “It’s unnecessary for City to field their strongest team, especially considering their upcoming match against Southampton just a few days later. There’s bound to be some rotation,” the expert stated.
John Stones, who is working his way back to full fitness, might also get a start, while Josko Gvardiol could be given a rest after playing heavy minutes recently.
Guardiola’s Tactical Experiments Continue
The expert highlighted City’s ongoing struggle to find an optimal setup in Rodri’s absence, noting Guardiola’s likely experimentation in the upcoming match. “Nothing is set for City at the moment; Guardiola is still trying to find a solution. I don’t think there will be a perfect fix, but rather an alternative approach that works, albeit not as effectively without Rodri,” he explained.
Sparta Prague’s Offensive Threat
While City are clear favorites, Sparta Prague’s consistent attacking record makes them a potential threat. The Czech side has scored in every competitive match this season, and City’s defense has shown vulnerability, keeping just three clean sheets in their first 12 matches.
“Sparta Prague will almost certainly score—everyone does against City these days,” remarked the expert. He added, “City’s defense is open, and with so many changes, opponents usually get a chance, and they tend to take it.”
City Likely to Secure Victory Despite Defensive Concerns
Despite Sparta Prague’s offensive capabilities, the expert remains confident that City will prevail at the Etihad Stadium. “Sparta will likely sit back with a defensive setup, probably using five at the back. While they may get a chance, I still believe City will win comfortably,” he concluded.
Wednesday’s fixture marks the first European meeting between Manchester City and Sparta Prague. City’s only prior encounters with a Czech team were against Viktoria Plzen in the 2013-14 UCL group stage, where they secured victories in both legs. Sparta Prague, meanwhile, have struggled against English teams, having won only four of their previous 22 meetings, including an 11-2 aggregate defeat to Liverpool in last season’s Europa League round of 16.
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