Manchester City heads to Serbia for their final Champions League Group G game. They’ll face Red Star Belgrade at the Rajko Mitic Stadium on Wednesday night. City beat Red Star 3-1 in their earlier group match at the Etihad Stadium.
Red Star’s European journey ends here. They’re set to finish last in Group G after a tough Champions League run. They’ve lost four games and drawn one in their five matches so far.
Man City aims to finish the group stage undefeated. They recently broke a streak of poor Premier League results. A 2-1 win over Luton Town last weekend boosted their confidence.
Key Takeaways
- Champions League holders Manchester City travel to face Red Star Belgrade in their final Group G fixture
- Red Star Belgrade are guaranteed to finish bottom of Group G after a poor Champions League campaign
- Manchester City are looking to maintain their perfect record in the group stage
- The two teams met earlier in the group stage, with Man City coming from behind to win 3-1
- Manchester City are aiming to bounce back from a recent run of poor Premier League results
Champions League Clash: Red Star Belgrade Host Manchester City
Red Star Belgrade faces Manchester City in a UEFA Champions League match on Wednesday. The Serbian champs sit at the bottom of Group G with one point. Meanwhile, the English giants have secured their Round of 16 spot.
Group G Encounter at the Rajko Mitic Stadium
Red Star Belgrade aims for their first group stage win at home against Manchester City. They hope to finish third in the group. This would secure a spot in the UEFA Europa League.
Red Star Look for First Group Stage Win at Home
Red Star Belgrade’s home form in the Champions League has been weak. They haven’t won a single game at the Rajko Mitic Stadium this campaign.
Manchester City has dominated the group stage. They’ve won all five matches and easily secured their place in the next round.
| Team | Points | Wins | Draws | Losses | Goal Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manchester City | 15 | 5 | 0 | 0 | +16 |
| Red Star Belgrade | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | -16 |
The stats show a big gap between the two teams. Manchester City leads the group, while Red Star Belgrade struggles.
However, the Serbian club is determined to fight. They hope to surprise the English champions in this match.
red star belgrade vs man city lineups
Predicted Lineups and Tactical Analysis
Red Star Belgrade and Manchester City are gearing up for a crucial Champions League match. Both teams are expected to field strong lineups for this important game.
Red Star Belgrade aims for their first group stage home win. Omri Glazer is likely to start in goal. The defense may include Stefan Mitrovic, Uros Spajic, Aleksandar Dragovic, and Lazar Nikolic.
In midfield, Hwang In-beom and Srdjan Mijailovic could anchor the team. Vladimir Lucic, Aleksandar Katai, and Osman Bukari might support striker Peter Olayinka.
Manchester City may make lineup changes. Stefan Ortega could replace Ederson in goal. The defense might feature Manuel Akanji, John Stones, Rico Lewis, and Sergio Gomez.
Kalvin Phillips could start in midfield. Julian Alvarez or Oscar Bobb might lead the attack, replacing the injured Erling Haaland.
The match promises an exciting tactical battle. Red Star’s solid defense will try to stop City’s strong attack. The Serbian team will stay organized and disciplined.
Meanwhile, the English champions will use their possession and creativity. They’ll aim to break through the hosts’ defensive line for a win.
Manchester City’s Pursuit of Perfection
Manchester City faces Red Star Belgrade in the Champions League with unwavering focus. They’ve already secured their knockout round spot. A win would make them the first English team to achieve eight straight victories.
City’s Champions League group stage performance has been remarkable. The team has won all six of their group games, matching Liverpool’s 2020-21 feat. Their success stems from strong attacks and solid defense.
Rising stars Micah Hamilton and Oscar Bobb have emerged during this impressive run. They’ve showcased their talents on the big stage.
“We are determined to finish the group stage with a perfect record,” said Pep Guardiola, the Manchester City manager. “This would be a significant achievement for the club and a testament to the hard work and dedication of the players.”
Kevin de Bruyne’s return will test City’s squad depth and versatility. The team’s spirit and young talent development suggest perfection is within reach.
- Manchester City won all six Champions League group games in a season, along with Liverpool, marking a significant achievement for the club.
- Micah Hamilton and Oscar Bobb, both 20 years old, scored for Manchester City against Red Star Belgrade.
- Micah Hamilton scored a goal on his first-team debut, becoming the fifth-youngest English player to score on his UEFA Champions League debut at 20 years and 30 days.
- Oscar Bobb scored his first goal for Manchester City on his first start for the club.
- Kalvin Phillips scored his first goal for Manchester City in his 30th appearance for the club.
City fans can expect more inspiring performances in the Champions League. The emergence of promising young talents adds excitement to their journey.
Red Star’s Fortress at Home
Red Star Belgrade’s home record is impressive. They’ve been unbeaten for 122 games since 2017 in domestic competition. Now, they face Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League.
Red Star’s recent games against English clubs haven’t gone well. They’ve lost their last three Champions League matches against English teams. They’ll aim to change this trend at the Rajko Mitic Stadium.
Unbeaten Streak on the Line Against English Giants
Red Star Belgrade’s 122-game unbeaten run at home is a source of pride. It’s made them almost unbeatable on their home turf. This record has boosted the team’s and fans’ confidence.
Manchester City presents a big challenge for Red Star. The English champs haven’t lost at home in 27 Champions League games. This five-year streak makes for an exciting match-up.
| Red Star Belgrade Home Record | Manchester City Champions League Home Record |
|---|---|
| 122 games unbeaten (domestic competition) | 27 games unbeaten (UEFA Champions League) |
| Last defeat at home: 2017 | Last defeat at home: 2017 |
| 24 National League championships won | 6 Premier League titles won |
| 13 National Cup titles won | 6 FA Cup titles won |
This clash promises to be thrilling. Red Star’s unbeaten home record faces its biggest test against Manchester City’s relentless pursuit of victory.
Key Players to Watch
Julian Alvarez, Manchester City’s young striker, is stealing the spotlight. The 23-year-old Argentine has been on fire this Champions League season. He’s scored four goals and provided one assist in just one start.
Pep Guardiola, City’s manager, calls Alvarez “almost undroppable” due to his recent feats. The former River Plate forward aims to continue his scoring streak and lead his team to victory.
For Red Star Belgrade, Osman Bukari and Aleksandar Katai are the stars to watch. These two have scored a combined 15 goals this season. They’ll be crucial in Red Star’s bid for a positive result against the mighty Manchester City.
| Player | Team | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Julian Alvarez | Manchester City | 4 | 1 |
| Osman Bukari | Red Star Belgrade | 8 | 7 |
| Aleksandar Katai | Red Star Belgrade | 7 | 3 |
The clash between julian alvarez and Red Star’s duo will be thrilling. Their performances could decide this crucial Champions League match. Fans can expect an exciting battle between these talented players on the pitch.
Recent Form and Head-to-Head Record
Red Star Belgrade and Manchester City are set to clash. Let’s look at their recent performances and past encounters.
Red Star Belgrade won three of their last six matches. They beat Mladost Lucani 3-1 in the Serbian SuperLiga. Manchester City won four of their last six games.
Earlier in the group stage, Manchester City beat Red Star 3-1 at home. Micah Hamilton scored on his debut. Oscar Bobb and Kalvin Phillips also netted goals.
| Team | Last 6 Matches | Head-to-Head Record |
|---|---|---|
| Red Star Belgrade | 3 wins, 1 draw, 2 losses | 0 wins, 1 draw, 1 loss |
| Manchester City | 4 wins, 2 losses | 1 win, 0 draws, 1 loss |
Stats favor Manchester City in this match. They’ve won four of six games and lead the head-to-head record. But Red Star’s home advantage could make things interesting.
Both teams are in good form. The match at Rajko Mitic Stadium should be thrilling. Manchester City aims to keep their perfect group stage record.
Injury Updates and Suspension News
Manchester City faces injury concerns before their Champions League match against Red Star Belgrade. Erling Haaland is out due to a foot injury. He’s expected to return to training on Thursday.
Kevin De Bruyne is still recovering from a hamstring issue. Jeremy Doku will be sidelined for one or two weeks with a muscle problem. Both teams have a full squad available for the match.
Manchester City aims to recover from their recent Champions League loss to Real Madrid. Haaland and De Bruyne’s absence will test the team’s depth. The Premier League champions have the talent to overcome these hurdles.
The focus will be on fitness updates and tactical changes. Both managers will prepare their teams for this crucial Group G match. Fans can expect an exciting game in Belgrade.
Pep Guardiola’s Rotation Strategy
Pep Guardiola is set to shuffle his Manchester City squad for the Belgrade trip. With City already through in the Champions League, key players may rest. Fringe players like Phillips, Akanji, and Álvarez could get game time.
This strategy keeps the Manchester City squad depth fresh for the busy December ahead. The Club World Cup is on the horizon too. Guardiola’s pep guardiola manchester city rotation ensures players are ready for multiple competitions.
| Player | Position | Expected Role |
|---|---|---|
| Rodri | Defensive Midfielder | Likely to be rested |
| Ederson | Goalkeeper | May be given a breather |
| Kalvin Phillips | Midfielder | Expected to start |
| Manuel Akanji | Defender | Could feature in the lineup |
| Julián Álvarez | Forward | Might lead the attack |
Rotating the squad keeps players fresh and ready for upcoming challenges. It gives fringe players valuable game time. This keeps the entire squad engaged and prepared to contribute when needed.
“Rotation is crucial in the Champions League, especially when a team has already qualified for the knockout stages. It allows Pep Guardiola to keep his key players rested while still fielding a competitive side against Red Star Belgrade.”
Red Star’s Motivation for a Strong Performance
Red Star Belgrade aims to finish their Champions League run with a bang. They’re gunning for their first group stage win at home. Their unbeaten streak of 122 domestic matches at Rajko Mitic Stadium is impressive.
The Serbian champs want to prove they can hang with Europe’s best. They’ve bounced back well in domestic play. Three straight wins with 10 goals scored show their potential.
Osman Bukari and Jean-Philippe Krasso have been on fire this season. The duo has netted 15 goals so far. They’re ready to test Manchester City’s defense and possibly cause an upset.
Red Star’s goal is clear: end their campaign strong. They want to show they belong among Europe’s elite. Even without advancing, they can make a statement against Man City.
“We may have been eliminated, but that doesn’t mean we can’t make a statement against Manchester City. Our fans deserve to see us give it our all, and we are determined to do just that.”
– Milos Degenek, Red Star Belgrade defender
Conclusion
Manchester City triumphed over Red Star Belgrade in their Champions League group match. The English champs dominated with 77% possession and 37 goal attempts. Julián Álvarez’s double and Rodri’s goal secured the win despite Osman Bukari’s surprise opener.
Red Star’s spirited performance and Omri Glazer’s impressive saves made the match competitive. However, City’s quality and depth proved too much for the Serbian side. Pep Guardiola’s team will need to maintain this level to win the Champions League.
City has already advanced to the knockout rounds. Red Star’s European journey is ending. The 3-1 score fairly reflects the game’s balance. Guardiola’s side continues their quest for European glory.
FAQ
What is the match preview for the Red Star Belgrade vs Manchester City Champions League game?
Manchester City visits Red Star Belgrade for their final Group G match on Wednesday. City has already secured a spot in the Round of 16. Red Star sits at the bottom with only one point from five games.
What are the predicted lineups for the two teams?
Red Star Belgrade will likely field their strongest lineup. Omri Glazer is expected in goal with a backline of Mitrovic, Spajic, Dragovic, and Nikolic.
City might make several changes. Stefan Ortega could replace Ederson in goal. Akanji, Stones, Lewis, and Gomez might feature in defense or midfield.
What are Manchester City’s goals for this match?
City aims to build on their recent win over Luton. They want to finish the group stage with a perfect record. A win would make them the first English team to win eight consecutive Champions League games.
How has Red Star Belgrade’s home form been this season?
Red Star Belgrade boasts an impressive unbeaten home record in domestic competition. This streak stretches back to 2017, spanning 122 games. They hope to defend their fortress against the English champions.
Who are the key players to watch in this match?
For City, Julian Alvarez has been outstanding in the Champions League. He’s scored four goals and provided one assist in just one start.
Red Star’s standouts are Osman Bukari and Aleksandar Katai. They’ve contributed 15 goals between them this season.
What is the injury and suspension news for both teams?
Erling Haaland is out due to a foot injury. He’s expected to return to training on Thursday. Kevin De Bruyne is still recovering from a hamstring injury.
Jeremy Doku faces one or two weeks out with a muscle problem. Both teams have a fully fit squad otherwise.
How might Pep Guardiola approach this match in terms of rotation?
Guardiola is likely to rotate his squad for this match. He may rest key players like Rodri and Ederson. This could give playing time to Phillips, Akanji, and Alvarez.