Coral’s Champions League combined XI: Juventus v Manchester City
Published:
Sam Barnard, Assistant Sports Editor | November 24, 2015
Coral’s combined XI of Juventus and Man City
Ahead of arguably the fixture of the current Champions League midweek matches, as Serie A champions Juventus host Premier League giants Manchester City, Coral pick a combined XI of players fit and in form for the clash.
Juve have struggled for form this term so far, since selling the likes of Carlos Tevez, Andrea Pirlo, Arturo Vidal and Fernando Llorente last summer, so it is understandable why perhaps so few of their stars feature in this team.
Formation: 4-4-2
Goalkeeper: Gianluigi Buffon
Italy and Juventus number one of course makes this side, due to being one of the greatest ever stoppers the world has seen, and he continues to be at the top of his profession despite now being 37. Joe Hart just misses out, having made the odd error or two this term.
Right back: Bacary Sagna
It is difficult to replace a club hero, with usual right back Pablo Zabaleta having been on the sidelines injured for much of the season so far, but Sagna has certainly filled his boots. He’s helped the Citizens to seven Premier League clean sheets from his 12 games, and gets in ahead of Juve’s Stephan Lichtsteiner.
Centre back: Nicolas Otamendi
Otamendi has quietly gone about his business this term, since his big-money move in the summer, and takes his place in this XI with his captain Vincent Kompany highly unlikely to feature.
Centre back: Giorgio Chiellini
Along with Buffon, Chiellini has been a stalwart for Juventus (13/10 to win) and Italy for over a decade, and would get into any team in the world.
Left back: Aleksandar Kolarov
Patrice Evra threatened to get in ahead of Kolarov, but the Serb has put in a number of fine performances for City (23/10 match chances) this season in all competitions and the Frenchman is also carrying a knock.
Right wing: Kevin De Bruyne
What a signing De Bruyne has turned out to be for the Manchester club, despite his huge summer fee, as the Belgian has already knocked in seven goals for his new side playing in a number of attacking positions.
Centre midfield: Paul Pogba
No matter how much praise Sir Alex Ferguson rightly gets for his work with City’s bitter rivals Manchester United, he was undoubtedly wrong to let Pogba go. The young Frenchman could even end up at the Etihad in future seasons, having been continuously linked with them, perhaps as a replacement for the below player?
Centre midfield: Yaya Toure
Despite his advancing years, Toure simply has to get in this team, ahead of the likes of teammates Fernando, Fernandinho and even Juventus stars Claudio Marchisio and Sami Khedira. What a sight it would be to see Toure and Pogba playing side-by-side in the heart of a midfield, rotating roles to destroy various opposition.
Left wing: Raheem Sterling
David Silva would usually be one of the first names in any XI but, with the Spaniard a serious doubt for this clash, Sterling makes the cut. The former Liverpool winger has certainly taken his chance in Silva’s absence, though, so would not look out of place.
Striker: Mario Mandzukic
Croatian Mandzukic has had a fairly injury-hit start to life in Turin, but has still managed four goals in all competitions and netted against City in the reverse leg. He is 5/4 to score anytime again.
Striker: Sergio Aguero
Likewise with Mandzukic, Aguero has had his fair share of injury troubles this term, but that has not stopped him firing in nine times in 12 appearances. He has an astonishing six goals in his last two Premier League games, and so is 5/1 to strike first here.
Related
Check out our other Champions League content, where you’ll find our previews for the current midweek fixtures.
