The Chilean tactician rested a number of players against Chelsea as he expects the Ukrainians to be a tough opponent.
Manchester City have reached the last 16 of the Champions League for the third consecutive year, and being knocked out by Barcelona in previous two campaigns there was certainly a sign of relief when the draw paired them with Dynamo Kyiv.
This is the first time the Citizens have reached the knockouts as group winners and will hope to make club history going a step further in the competition. Having already topped the “group of death” that featured Juventus, Sevilla and Borussia Mönchengladbach, the expectations grew bigger for the Chilean tactician who is managing his final season at Manchester City. Pep Guardiola is confirmed as the new City boss for the 2016/2017 season and in that account one might wonder how motivated Manuel Pellegrini will be to see out this season on a high note. However, as anyone close to the Chilean will tell you, Pellegrini is always focused on a win, no matter what. It is true they might have dropped six points behind Leicester City in the Premier League, but their true glory might come in the Champions League which would be a fitting farewell for a coach that brought them the 2013/2014 domestic title. That’s why he is making no risks with a strong Dynamo Kyiv side as he rested his top players in weekend’s FA Cup match against Chelsea where a side made up of mainly fringe players lost 5-1. With clubs like Barcelona, Bayern München and Real Madrid still in the competition, it will take something really special from City to lift the famous trophy, but Pellegrini seems to be throwing his card on it.
On the other side are Ukrainian champions Dynamo Kyiv who might not be in the limelight, but that might play to their advantage. The Ukrainians haven’t been in the last 16 since 1999/2000 and coach Sergey Rebrov will fancy their chances against shaken Premier League heavyweight. They have already played the reigning PL Champions Chelsea, drawing 0-0 in Kyiv and losing 2-1 at Stamford bridge in a group they finished above Porto and Maccabi Tel Aviv, and just behind the Blues. They are a tough team to break down, and are very strong in forward transition with their most dangerous player being Andriy Yarmolenko. The pacey winger is fit and is ready to wrack havoc at City defence. Kyiv didn’t play a competitive match since December, and the lack of intense schedule could be their weakness in this tie, or strength, depending how you look at it, but it will surely be a close encounter, especially in Kyiv.
Match facts
- Dynamo Kiev hadn’t reached the knockout stages of the Champions League since 1998/99. They were then eliminated by Bayern Munich in the semi-finals.
- Dynamo Kiev finished second in Group G behind Chelsea to reach the knockout stages.
- Manchester City, who finished top in Group D ahead of Juventus, have reached the knockout stages of the Champions League for the third consecutive season. They have never made it past the Last 16 though, being knocked out by Barcelona in each of the last two campaigns.
- Dynamo Kiev and Manchester City’s only previous encounter was in the Last 16 of the 2010/11 Europa League. The Ukrainian side won 2-1 on aggregate.
- English teams have won none of their last five away games against Ukrainian opposition in the Champions League (D3 L2). Their last success dates back to October 2007 when Manchester Utd won 4-2 against Dynamo Kiev.
- Manchester City were the only side – among the 16 who reached the knockout stages – that failed to register a clean sheet in the group stages.
- None of Manchester City’s 34 Champions League games has ended goalless. They have only kept four clean sheets in these 34 games. Only Basel have played more games in the competition without ever registering a goalless draw (46).
- Dynamo Kiev have won only one of their last five Champions League home games (D3 L1), that was against Maccabi Tel Aviv in their last outing (1-0).
Team News
Rebrov is expected to field his strongest XI against Manchester side with Oleksandr Rybka his only injury concern. Also, Vitorino Antunes is suspended and is likely to be replaced by Domagoj Vida at right-back.
On the other side, Pellegrini has to make due without a number of notable absentees including Samir Nasri, Jesus Navas, Kevin De Bruyne, Fabian Delph, Bacary Sagna and Wilfried Bony.
Predicted lineups
Dynamo Kyiv: Shovkovskiy; Danilo Silva, A. Dragovic, Yevhen Khacheridi, Domagoj Vida; Derlis Gonzalez, Serhiy Sydorchuk, Serhiy Rybalka, Denys Garmash; Andriy Yarmolenko, Junior Moraes
Manchester City: Joe Hart; Pablo Zabaleta, Vincent Kompany, Nicolas Otamendi, Gael Clichy; Fernandinho, Fernando; Raheem Sterling, Yaya Toure, David Silva; Sergio Aguero
From : SS.com
