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Greetings, fellow Blues! We have arrived at the next big point of the 2015-16 year: Champions League, Matchday 1. This year, we kick off the campaign against Juventus, the 4 time reigning Serie A champions, and last year's CL runners-up. The two teams come into the match on polar opposite form trends, with City sparkling and Juventus massively struggling in their respective leagues.
TV listings:
UK - BT Sport Ultra HD; US - FOX Sports 2 (seriously, FOX? You're gonna air PSV-United over this? This is why no one likes you); Australia - beIN Sports Connect Australia; Canada - TSN1
Lineups are in at The Etihad:
City XI: Hart, Sagna, Kompany, Mangala, Kolarov, Toure, Fernandinho, Nasri, Silva, Sterling, Bony #cityvjuve #mcfc
— Manchester City FC (@MCFC) September 15, 2015
Subs: Caballero, Otamendi, Demichelis, Fernando, Navas, De Bruyne, Aguero #cityvjuve #mcfc
— Manchester City FC (@MCFC) September 15, 2015
Juventus starting XI: Buffon; Lichtsteiner, Bonucci, Chiellini, Evra; Sturaro, Hernanes, Pogba; Cuadrado, Mandzukic, Morata #CityJuve
— JuventusFC (@juventusfcen) September 15, 2015
There were many questions regarding player health coming into this match and it seems like we've got our answers. Raheem Sterling and David Silva both start despite not being involved in City's win over Palace at the weekend, and Sergio Aguero has squeezed his way on to the bench.
The back four remains the same as we've seen throughout the season and Pellegrini has opted for a 4-2-3-1, much to the delight of most out there. Wilfried Bony will look to build off a good outing from Saturday and can hopefully open his account for this season. Kevin De Bruyne starts on the bench but you can bet your bottom dollar he will make an appearance and play a key role.
Thoughts on the lineup? Predictions for the match? Excited?!? Comment away!