Young Boys-Manchester City is a match from the third day of the group stage of the Champions League and is played Wednesday at 9 pm: TV, lineups, predictions.
No surprises so far in Group G. Reigning European champions Manchester City, as predicted, put a very serious mortgage on the first place thanks to their victory in the direct clash with Leipzig – the only team that, in theory, could hold their own as far as the first position is concerned – folded 3-1 thanks to goals by Julian Alvarez and summer acquisition Doku, both scored in the final of the match.
Everything easy so far for the Cityzens, also kissed by Lady Luck in the draw last August in Nyon. Haaland and his teammates are still on full points – on their debut they had disposed (3-1) of the not-irresistible Red Star – and they could easily stay there even after the next two matches with the Swiss of Young Boys, against whom Pep Guardiola’s men are counting to close all talks regarding the qualification to the round of 16. To make it to the bottom of each competition like last year, it will be crucial to save as much energy as possible. Especially at a delicate moment like this, in which City is back from a sort of first mini-crisis of the season: in the last five matches it has recorded three defeats, including the one in the league with Arsenal, victorious 1-0 at Emirates Stadium.
Guardiola so far on velvet
The break for the national teams came to the rescue of the Catalan coach, who on Saturday won – not without fears – over Roberto De Zerbi’s Brighton (2-1).
Ugrinic
It did not go beyond a deadlocked draw for Young Boys at the Wankdorf Stadion against Zurich in the big match of the last day of the Swiss Super League. Thus, Raphael Wicky’s yellow-and-whites failed to catch up in the standings and remain -2 behind the lineup coached by Dane Henriksen. In the Champions League, on the other hand, the Helvetians came close to their first victory at the home of Red Star, cashing in the equalizing goal (2-2) two minutes from the end. In their debut match, Young Boys had failed to hold out against Leipzig: their hopes of qualifying at this point are derisory.
The prediction
There should be no surprises in the Bern race. There is obviously a gulf between the hosts and Manchester City, which, regenerated from its victory with Brighton, should get the better of Young Boys by at least two goals: it would not be a surprise if the total goals at the end should be at least four.
The probable lineups of Young Boys-Manchester City
- YOUNG BOYS (3-4-1-2): Racioppi; Amenda, Benito, Camara; Blum, Lauper, Niasse, Garcia; Ugrinic; Itten, Elia.
- MANCHESTER CITY (4-1-4-1): Ederson; Lewis, Akanji, Stones, Gvardiol; Kovačić; Bernardo Silva, Foden, Julian Álvarez, Grealish; Haaland.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-3
