City’s Champions League match with Red Star should give squad players an opportunity

Manchester City’s final UEFA Champions League group stage game against Red Star Belgrade should allow some squad players a chance to impress. The European champions have already sewn up top spot of Group G with 5 wins from 5 games. With a busy schedule coming up tonight’s game could see Guardiola rotate his squad.

Players such as Stefan Ortega, Kalvin Phillips, Oscar Bobb and Sergio Gomez could all start against Red Star. The trio haven’t had many opportunities to impress this season so tonight’s game could give them a chance for 90 minutes. In the case of Kalvin Phillips, it may be his final start for the treble winners before the January transfer window. The midfielder has been linked with a move next month so he will be looking to impress if given the opportunity.

Oscar Bobb has only featured 8 times this season, mainly as a substitute. The young Norwegian attacker has impressed in his cameo appearances this season. He will be eager to start the game and gain some valuable UEFA Champions League experience.

City keeper Stefan Ortega is eager to impress. With Ederson not travelling due to illness, it should give City’s backup keeper another start. He told the media he was looking forward to the opportunity: “I’m happy for every game I get here. Tomorrow could be the next chance to show my best version.”

With a busy schedule on the horizon for Manchester City Pep Guardiola stated he was happy to rotate his squad. He said pre-game: “We’re going to rotate some players because we have three days, travel five or six hours, three days, a semi and potentially a final. I’m very pleased tomorrow to see many players who didn’t play lately to be involved in the team. Absolutely, I’m very pleased.”