Manchester City have suffered three defeats on the bounce, with last weekend's 5-1 thrashing away at Chelsea in the FA Cup the worst of them all. However, coach Manuel Pellegrini will be hoping his full-scale rotation for that heavy defeat pays off with a win away at Dynamo Kiev in their Champions League first knockout round tie on Wednesday. They certainly head in as strong favorites and will be looking to put themselves in a commanding position with an away goal or two.
Manchester City vs. Dynamo Kiev 2016: Time, TV schedule and news for Champions League
Manchester City will be looking to put themselves into a commanding position in the first leg of their Champions League tie against Dynamo Kiev.
Their Ukrainian hosts haven’t played a single competitive match since beating Maccabi Tel Aviv in their last Champions League group game back in December. Since then they’ve played a remarkable 13 friendlies, but they may well be slightly lacking a competitive edge when they take to the field. But even so, City shouldn’t underestimate them. They’ve already held Chelsea to a goalless draw at home this season and their top priority will surely be keeping things tight at the back. They could well prove difficult to break down.
Key player: Sergio Agüero (Manchester City)
City’s star man is undoubtedly striker Sergio Agüero, who has been in some fine form of late. The Argentine international has netted seven goals in his last six games in all competitions and will be looking to add to his tally in Ukraine on Wednesday. Injuries have meant he’s made only two Champions League starts so far this season, though he should well add a third on Wednesday.
Recent history
These sides have only met once before: it came in the knockout stages of the 2011 Europa League when a 2-0 win for the hosts in Kiev was enough for them to survive a 1-0 defeat in the return leg in Manchester. Particularly of note is that one of Kiev’s scorers in the first leg was Andriy Shevchenko, perhaps Ukraine’s greatest ever player. Last week he was appointed new assistant manager of the national team.
Dynamo Kiev injuries and suspensions
Out: Andriy Yarmolenko (ankle); Mykola Morozyuk (knee); Vitorino Antunes (suspended). In doubt: Oleksandr Rybka (knee).
Manchester City injuries and suspensions
Out: Wilfried Bony (calf); Eliaquim Mangala (hamstring). In doubt: None.
Dynamo will be without one of their most important attackers in Yarmolenko, while midfielder Morozyuk and full-back Antunes are also sidelined. Goalkeeper Rybka is doubtful after undergoing knee surgery in December.
City have only two confirmed absentees: striker Bony and defender Mangala are both sidelined with muscular injuries. Coach Pellegrini should otherwise have a full-strength squad.
Match date/time: Wednesday, 2:45 p.m. ET, 9:45 p.m. local
Venue: NSC Olimpiyskiy, Kiev, Ukraine
TV: FOX Sports 1 (US - English); ESPN Deportes (US - Spanish); TSN5 (Canada); BT Sport Europe (UK)
Online: FOX Sports GO, FOX Soccer 2GO, Watch ESPN (US); BT Sport live streaming (UK)
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