City are going into the group stage match hoping to continue their unbeaten start to the competition as they are sitting at the top of the table having taken all the points available from the their first two games in the UCL. Atalanta are on the other end of their group stage table as they have failed to register a win in either of their first couple of games in their very first European venture.
City having faced an untimely defeat right before the International break against Wolves in the Premier League will go into the match with some sense of relief as they managed to reduce the gap between them and their rivals Liverpool who sit at the top of the league table.
Atalanta on the other hand were a part of a thrilling match that ended 3-3 in the Serie A against Lazio as they closely missed out on their three points after Ciro Immobile scored a stoppage time penalty to equalize and complete an astounding comeback from his team.
INJURIES AND SUSPENSIONS
City have a slight problem at the back as they had to play Rodri and Fernandinho, two defensive midfielders as center halves due the absence of Aymeric Laporte and Nicholas Otamendi. Brighter side is that John Stones has recovered from his injury and featured in their outing at the Selhurst Park as he came of the bench.
Otamendi is expected to be fit for the Atalanta match after the knock he took was not all that serious. City’s preferred right back, Kyle Walker is also expected to be a part of the starting 11 as he seems to have recovered from his illness. Laporte and Leroy Sane will not be a part of the playing 11 as both of them are out with long term knee injuries.
Atalanta’s star player and leading goal scorer, Duvan Zapata is a doubt as he is down with a thigh problem.The Colombian picked up a knock during the International break and now Atalanta are rendered to deal with his absence. Luis Muriel who scored a brace against Lazio over thr weekend will look to lead the attack upfront while their new signing Ruslan Malinovskyi who has created quite a stir will look to make an impact on the big stage.
PREGAME STATS
Atalata’s previous matches against an English opponent in Europe came against Everton in the 2017-2018 edition of the UEFA Europa League where they obliterated the Toffees 5-1 at Goodison Park.
Manchester City having won the first two games of their group stages are likely to progress to the knock out stages as the previous 27 English teams to have achieved that feat have gone through to the knock out stages.
Atalanta are the first side from Italy to have lost their first two Champions League games.
PREVIOUS FIVE MEETINGS
This is the very first time the teams will be facing each other in Europe.
PLAYERS TO WATCH FOR
Manchester City: Raheem Sterling
Sterling has been one of the most consistent players for Pep Guardiola. He has already found the back of the net nine times and assisted twice in his 12 games this season. It will not be any surprise if he continuous his strong start to the season with a goal or two in the Champions League.
Atalanta BC: Ruslan Malinovskyi
The new summer signing of Atalanta has not only impressed his boss but has also caught the eye of some of the bigger teams in Europe as the recent rumors suggest that Chelsea might be interested in his services after they are relieved from their transfer ban. He netted a goal against Lazio and will look to keep his place in the team as an attacking midfielder as he looks to show himself on the big stage.
PREDICTED LINE UPS
Manchester City: Ederson; Cancelo, Stones, Otamendi, Mendy; De Bruyne, Rodri, Gundogan; Mahrez, Aguero, Sterling
Atalanta BC: Gollini; Toloi, Djimsiti, Masiello; Hateboer, Freuler, Pasalic, Gosens; Malinovskyi, Gomez; Muriel
PREDICTION
Manchester City have been on the receiving end of some unwanted defeats already this season and Pep Guardiola definitely won’t want one in the UCL. Atalanta have been in great from in the Serie A but they have not been able to reciprocate the same in the Champions League.
It is quite apparent that City are the favorites to win this tie but if somehow Atalanta manage an upset at the Etihad, it will raise a few eyebrows and Guardiola will have something to think about. Even so, my prediction is 3-1 in City’s favor. Atalanta will have to dig deep for their first European win while City will prepare for bigger challenges.