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LINE-UP: Manchester City team to play Liverpool

 

Following manager Manuel Pellegrini’s decision to play youth in the FA CUP as he focussed fully on the Champions League, you have to feel that a 3-1 win against Dynamo Kiev in the Ukraine is enough of a cushion not to worry who he starts for this afternoons Capital One Cup final with Liverpool at Wembley.

The League Cup may not be everyone’s first choice for a trophy as Pellegrini has already shown in his desire to win the Champions League, but it does help present the Chilean to slap egg on the faces of City’s executives for firing him, and especially so if he can combine it with the Premier League and Champions League titles.

Pellegrini has been handed a big injury boost ahead of this afternoons match after having been told that both Samir Nasri and Kevin de Bruyne are both well on their way to recovering from injury, but not in time for this afternoons big game.

Other absentees Wilfried Bony and Jesus Navas are however back in contention, with the manager also having a full contingent of senior defenders to select from, somewhat of a rarity this season.
Goalkeeper

Despite silverware being on the line it would appear as though Pellegrini is prepared to stick with No.2 keeper Willy Caballero despite the Argentinean’s dodgy display in the FA Cup loss.

Defence

City’s back four should consist of Kompany and Nicolas Otamendi at centre-back while former Arsenal star Bacary Sagna starts right with a tossup between Aleksandar Kolarov and Gael Clichy out on the left.

Midfield
At the back of midfield we expect to see Fernando and Fernandinho play alongside each other while Yaya Toure will be called upon to take the ball forward, with Silva right Raheem Sterling both left hoping to run at the shaky Liverpool defence. Being a former Liverpool player and having left under not quite the best circumstances the traveling Liverpool fans will have plenty of abuse for Sterling which means the youngster will have to try and block out the comments and help his side win one of what could still be three trophies this season.

Attack
Sergio Aguero will of course start for City with Pellegrini safe in the knowledge that he has Bony in reserve should the Citizens find themselves needing a goal late on.

Manchester City - Football tactics and formations

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