Manchester City Vs. Feyenoord: The Citizen Must Rise Or Sink

Erling Haaland, slumped in the last five games with Manchetser City (photo: x @ManCity)

JAKARTA - Manchester City are struggling to get out of their performance crisis against Feyennoord in the Champions League league phase at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday, November 26, 2024. In a state of injury after five consecutive defeats in all competitions, Pep Guardiola's troops are determined to rise against the Dutch visitors who are in good form.

Manchester City suffered one of the worst periods in the Guardiola era. A 4-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday marked their toughest home defeat in the Premier League under the Spaniard. Now, with increasing pressure, City must immediately improve their performance in the Champions League.

Despite sitting 10th in the Champions League phase league standings, City still haven't missed the chance to advance to the next round. However, the defeat to Feyennoord will cost them an automatic chance to qualify, as well as record consecutive home defeats for the first time since 2018.

On the other hand, Feyennoord appeared consistent at the Eredivisie with six wins in the last seven games. Although they lost 3-1 to Red Bull Salzburg in their last Champions League game, Feyennoord showed their strength with two away wins in this competition this season.

The last meeting between the two teams took place in the group stage of the Champions League for the 2017-18 season. City won 4-0 at Rotterdam and narrowly won 1-0 at the Etihad. Despite history in favor of City, the confident Feyenoord has ambitions to record a third straight away win in the Champions League, something they have never done before.

Pep Guardiola has to fight without several key players who are still in the process of recovering from injury. Rodri (ACL injury), Ruben Dias (betis), Oscar Bobb (leg), and Mateo Kovacic (undisclosed) are confirmed to be absent. Meanwhile, Jeremy Doku had a small chance of returning after a thigh injury.

Despite the difficult situation, Guardiola is likely to rotate, especially in attack. Kevin De Bruyne, who is performing well as a substitute against Tottenham, is predicted to return as a starter, replacing Bernardo Silva. Jack Grealish also has the potential to replace Phil Foden to provide new power on the wing.

In midfield, Matheus Nunes, who had played in the left wing, is likely to return to his original role as a midfielder with Rico Lewis. Meanwhile, Kyle Walker is predicted to remain the main choice in right-back position, with Nathan Ake replacing Josko Gvardiol who performed poorly in defeat to Tottenham.

Erling Haaland remains the main focus of the front line, with a note requiring only one more goal or assist to make 50 direct contributions in the Champions League, an outstanding record for young players like himself.

With Guardiola's various changes, City will try to bounce back from adversity and keep their chances of qualifying for the next round of the Champions League

The visitors faced bigger injury problems, with eight absent players, including Santiago Gimenez (pinggul), Justin Bijlow (dot), and captain Quinten Timber (article). Chris-Kevin Nadje will be sidelined due to suspension, while Quilindschy Hartman is not registered in the Champions League squad due to a long injury.

Manchester City:Ederson; Walker, Akanji, Stones, Ake; Nunes, Lewis; Savinho, De Bruyne, Grealish; Haaland

Feyenoord:Wellenreuther; Nieuwkoop, Trauner, Hancko, Smal; Hwang, Zerrouki, Milimbo; Moussa, Carranza, Paixao

Manchester City's predictions will try to take advantage of the advantage of playing at home to stop their negative trend. Meanwhile, Feyenoord, who are in good form, will be a threat with the strength of their counterattack.