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Sky Blue News: RB Leipzig, Rodri Speaks, Predicted XI, and More...

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Manchester City Training Session Photo by Matt McNulty - Manchester City/Manchester City FC via Getty Images

Manchester City Matchday is upon us. Here’s all of yesterday’s headlines to get you ready.

Manchester City v RB Leipzig: TV Info, Preview, Team News and Prediction - Saul Garcia - Bitter and Blue

Saul gets you sorted to watch the proceedings.

City are riding high seeing they own both the joint best attacking (11 goals) and defensive records (one conceded) in the league so far.

RB Leipzig have endured a slow start to the new Bundesliga season, and currently sit 12th with one win and three losses thus far.

The American Jesse Marsch’s side will be chomping at the bit to renew their season with a result at the Etihad Stadium.

It should be a great match. Pep vs Marsch.

City begin 11th consecutive Champions League campaign – Manchester City vs RB Leipzig Preview - Daniel Gallagher-Parker - City Report

It’s a first-ever meeting with RBL.

Pep Guardiola’s side welcome an RB Leipzig side under new management, as Jesse Marsch takes control of his first Champions League game as the German side’s boss, and there isn’t much more difficult opposition to face than the Sky Blues.

As always, Kevin De Bruyne and co. will be expected to advance from the group stages, despite being placed in a fairly difficult group, with Club Brugge, Wednesday’s opposition RB Leipzig and none other than Lionel Messi’s new side, Paris Saint-Germain.

City had a rocky start to the season, losing the Community Shield 1-0 to Leicester City and then losing on the opening weekend of the Premier League, 1-0 again, this time to Tottenham Hotspur. However, in the three games since then, they have won three games out of three, scoring eleven without reply.

CITY LOOKING NO FURTHER AHEAD THAN LEIPZIG, SAYS RODRIGO - Neil Leigh - ManCity.com

Rodri knows to go deep in the UCL City will need to be focused.

Asked if there was a sense of unfinished business from last term, Rodrigo said: “I would sign up now to get into another final. It’s hard. You have to do a lot to get in this situation.

“But it’s not good to look too far forward. We face Leipzig, we are in a very difficult group and it’s the first step.

“We shouldn’t think too much about the final. We have to go step by step. First, we pass the group and then let’s see.

“The Champions League is that hard any team can send you off. It’s the reality of football and the Champions League.

‘Three s**t days’ - Rodri opens up on Man City’s Champions League final heartbreak - Stuart Brennan

And he recalls how he felt after last year’s final.

Rodri himself was surprisingly left on the bench as manager Pep Guardiola started without a recognised defensive midfielder, a decision for which he has been roundly criticised.

And he said that the disappointment left him bereft for days afterwards - only lifted by the need to gee himself up for Spain’s European Championship campaign, which started the following week.

“I think it depends on the player,” said the 25-year-old . “In my situation you have three s**t days where you cannot even talk to your family or friends.

“They are always there to support you but your face is not good but then this is football. We can win or lose and we move on. In defeat you learn more than in victories.”

Pep Talk: “It is the first game in the group stage and to talk about the latter stages we have to deserve to be there,” - Saul Garcia - Bitter and Blue

Pep isn’t looking ahead.

Pep Guardiola knows this ill be a difficult group and that you can’t overlook any club. Speaking prior to the debut of City’s new campaign in the UCL, he spoke about expectation and more.

Let’s check it out-

“The players have feelings and soul and it hurts when you cannot achieve. It’s a new challenge to try.

“These guys win three in the last four Premier Leagues and we always have the feeling we can do better.

“It’s something we want but many teams want it too. It depends on many, many things.”

“It is the first game in the group stage and to talk about the latter stages we have to deserve to be there,” he added.

“When we start this competition every season and people ask who is the favourite I cannot answer you. It is unpredictable - many strong teams. The group stage is always difficult.

Kevin De Bruyne Returns, Riyad Mahrez Starts on the Right - Predicted Team: Man City vs RB Leipzig (Champions League) - Sangam Desai - City Report

A new look upfront might be in store for City.

Kevin De Bruyne is expected to make a much-awaited comeback into the City side after finally overcoming his ankle issues earlier this week. We expect the Belgian to start at the heart of City’s false nine system that has been Guardiola’s preferred style of play in the absence of a recognised striker.

Jack Grealish slots in at left-wing and will be eager to start his first-ever Champions League game against RB Leipzig on Wednesday. European football was one of the driving reasons behind his move from boyhood club Aston Villa earlier this summer, and he will be pumped at the prospect of performing at the biggest stage in club football just weeks after joining the Etihad club.

Riyad Mahrez will make his way back into the side and start on the right. The Algerian was a vital cog in last year’s Champions League exploits but has so far found himself on the bench more often than not due to Gabriel Jesus’ electric performances on the right-wing. Rest assured, Mahrez will surely be raring to make an impact again and remind Guardiola of his quality.

GABRIEL JESUS VOTED ETIHAD PLAYER OF THE MONTH - ManCity.com

And finally, Gabby wins Player of the Month!

The Brazilian forward started the new campaign in scintillating form and was outstanding against Norwich and Arsenal.

The feat is all the more impressive as he was playing in an unaccustomed role of right winger, which he has excelled in during our last three games.

Check back tomorrow for all the reactions right here with Sky Blue News.