MANCHESTER CITY have suffered a blow ahead of their Champions League clash against RB Leipzig after three key stars were RULED OUT of the game.
Kevin De Bruyne, Aymeric Laporte and John Stones have all not been included ahead of the Champions League last 16 clash.
De Bruyne in particular has been crucial in helping Pep Guardiola’s outfit maintain a title push this season.
He has registered 18 assists in all competitions, while adding the opener against Arsenal during the 3-1 win at the Emirates last week.
However, he was unable to help Man City overcome Nottingham Forest at the weekend as Forest held the Champions to a 1-1 draw.
With Arsenal getting back to winning ways before that, City are now once again chasing Mikel Arteta’s challengers.
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Regardless, the trophy the Cityzens are truly desperate to get their hands on is the Champions League.
But if they are to do it this year they will need to play the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie without some major stars.
None of the three aforementioned stars have been included in the 22-man travelling squad, while Kyle Walker also missed training ahead of the fixture.
Laporte remains an invaluable player when Guardiola wants to build up from the left flank, with the defenders passing range second to none from deep.
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Stones is also a big part of City’s defence in both offensive and defensive phases, but remains sidelined after aggravating an injury earlier this month.
Walker has also seen his role in the team lessen this season, but he has also filled into a more auxiliary centre-back role when required.
City will be among the last sides to play in the Champions League, with Liverpool in action against Real Madrid tonight and Chelsea and Tottenham having already had their first legs.
The Reds and City will hope to fare better than their London counterparts did, with both picking up 1-0 away defeats.
Following the midweek visit to Germany, City will visit the South Coast in the hopes of getting back to winning ways in the Prem against Bournemouth.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
