Official: Chelsea and Man City release lineups ahead of tonight’s clash
Reaching the Champions League final according to the Mersyside Blues feels a little surreal as it’s something the Club and everyone connected to it has been dreaming about for many years.
In a tweet on the Manchester City Twitter page it expressed it profound joy for being able to enter into the Champions league finals for the first time in history.
“It’s taken a monumental effort from a magnificent set of footballers and a wonderful manager and backroom staff who have gone above and beyond this season to keep us entertained through an incredibly challenging year.
“Now, we have a chance to lift the most coveted trophy in club football, though Chelsea represent a formidable hurdle.
“It would be the perfect end to an unforgettable season when football has kept so many people’s spirits up, but whatever happens on May 29, it is an amazing achievement by Pep and his players.
Meanwhile before the finals, the two sides battles it all out today in the English Premier League (EPL) at Etihad. This match could away something about the finals which is to be played in some few days ahead.
Chelsea are visitors, though it’s doubtful the two starting XIs will be the same in Istanbul. Three points and Man City would be crown champions, “so that’s all the incentive we need, surely.
Tonight’s game will draw a lot of attention as it is obviously the biggest game of the week in the EPL. Both sides would be very determined to win this one but City could have advantage playing at home.
Pep Guardiola’s side won the reverse fixture 3-1 at Stamford Bridge in January, with goals coming from Ilkay Gundogan, Phil Foden and Kevin De Bruyne. Callum Hudson-Odoi scored our consolation in stoppage time.
Meanwhile Chelsea won the FA Cup semi-final last month with Hakim Ziyech scoring the only goal.
Checks from the lineups of the two teams show that despite City’s desire for the EPL title today, they are also determined for the Champions league as they drop a lot of the first team players.
Meanwhile the Blues has also made some changes with the introduction of Gilmour into the team for tonight’s clash.
Official starting lineups for both teams
XI | Ederson, Cancelo, Dias, Laporte, Ake, Mendy, Rodrigo, Torres, Sterling (C), Aguero, Jesus
SUBS | Steffen, Walker, Gundogan, Zinchenko, Bernardo, Fernandinho, Mahrez, Foden, Garcia
Chelsea IX | Mendy, Azpillicueta, Christensen, Rudiger, James, Kante, Gilmour, Alonso, Ziyech, Werner, Pulisic.
Predicted Scoreline
Looking at City’s starting IX, it is obvious we will be seeing a lot of attacking play from the home side.
That notwithstanding, the Blues are with Pulisic and Ziyech in support to Werner in a 4-3-3 formation. This could also pose a lot of danger for the City defense with the pace of Pulisic and Werner.
Man City 2:3 Chelsea
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