By Karl Matchett
Man Metropolis have swept all earlier than them for years, but enter an necessary, if removed from decisive, Champions League match badly needing a consequence to finish 5 straight defeats in all competitions. The week forward brings Feyenoord after which Liverpool, and ends in each are required to stave off speak that the crew has reached the tip of its period…in addition to capability to win trophies this very season.
The worst type of Guardiola’s profession
Properly, 5 losses in a row – dangerous for anybody, unprecedented for Man Metropolis. That mentioned, their 5 matches beforehand have been all victories; this is perhaps the worst run of all time so far as Guardiola is anxious, however they haven’t abruptly misplaced each footballer of any capacity. In one other world, whilst just lately as this previous weekend, Erling Haaland buries one among his two early possibilities and the match in opposition to Tottenham goes a totally totally different method. Conceding possibilities is the larger problem for the Premier League crew, with the midfield missing construction and the defensive position trying weak, reactive and missing in mobility of late.
For Feyenoord, they’ve received two and misplaced two in Europe this time period; maybe extra notably, they’ve received three in a row domestically however misplaced their final large take a look at, a house assembly with Ajax. Too many attracts hampered their title aspirations final season below Slot and to date the identical is true below Brian Priske.
Staff information
Rodri stays the massive absentee for Metropolis and Mateo Kovačić has confirmed a equally large loss, with Metropolis missing any pure sitting choice with the positional know-how and self-discipline to guard a creaky again line. Oscar Bobb, Jérémy Doku and Rúben Dias are additionally out.
Feyenoord are lacking a bunch of their very own gamers too although, together with star striker Santiago Giménez, left-back Hugo Bueno, goalkeeper Justin Bijlow, Dutch U21 starlet Quilindschy Hartman and ahead Ayase Ueda. Chris-Kevin Nadje can be suspended and midfielder Quinten Timber is a doubt.
Potential heroes
Matheus Nunes isn’t entrusted with a lot home motion however he has performed three of 4 within the Champions League and has a objective and two assists. He is perhaps restored to central midfield relatively than the attacking assist line, however on a per-90 foundation in Europe this time period he’s within the ninety fifth percentile of gamers for profitable dribbles, 92nd for possibilities created…and prime of all for touches within the field. Metropolis might do with just a few of these being made with composure and accuracy to get again to profitable methods.
Feyenoord’s Timon Wellenreuther is making three saves per 90 on common on this competitions, however stopping objectives (or not) at a price of -0.6 in opposition to the xG of photographs in opposition to him. Should do higher.
Prediction
Absolutely, absolutely there’s no prospect of a sixth with no win. Man Metropolis 3-1 Feyenoord.
(Cowl picture from IMAGO)
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