/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/50411599/453860828.0.jpg)
Rejoice, Citizens, the Champions League is here! For Manchester City it's a little earlier than expected, but if we have to go through Playoffs first, then we'll go through team. Romanian powerhouse Steaua Bucharest provide the opposition, and this will not be easy at all.
The Arena Nationala is ready, and apparently Steaua will smash City:
Hey @ManCity! This is where we play home games! This is where we will smash you! pic.twitter.com/KVL1kSaRTp
— Steaua București (@FCSteaua) August 14, 2016
The lineups are out!
*****
Steaua Bucharest starting lineup (4-2-3-1):
Niţă | Enache, Tamaş, Toşca, Momcilovic | Achim, Muniru | Adi Popa, Stanciu, Hamroun | Golubovic
Substitutes from: Cojocaru, Mitrea, Tudorie, Aganovic, Ov Popescu, D Popescu, Bourceanu
Manchester City starting lineup (very fluid 4-1-4-1):
Caballero | Zabaleta, Stones, Otamendi, Kolarov | Fernandinho | Sterling, De Bruyne, Silva, Nolito | Agüero
Substitutes from: Hart, Sagna, Fernando, Navas, Delph, Clichy, Iheanacho
*****
Very similar lineup from Guardiola compared to last weekend's Premier League game against Sunderland. Willy Caballero stays in goal, and Joe Hart is indeed leaving the club according to the latest reports. Nicolas Otamendi returns from injury and takes Gael Clichy's place, with Aleks Kolarov moving to left-back. Pablo Zabaleta starts at right-back, with Bacary Sagna dropping to the bench. The front five up top is the same, with Fernandinho behind them dictating tempo.
Look forward to a lot of possession from City, with Steaua looking for counter-attack opportunities. Zabaleta and Kolarov will function as midfielders with the ball, looking to work with David Silva and De Bruyne to creat chances for Sterling, Nolito and Kun.
This should be nervous.
COME ON CITY!