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The Champions League is back in action tonight as Pep Guardiola's Manchester City takes on Lyon in a quarterfinal tie in Lisbon. Lyon is the underdog going into this fixture and will have to pull a rabbit out of the hat to get the better of a formidable Manchester City side.
Manchester City skipped past Zinedine Zidane's Real Madrid in the previous round and will have to be on guard against a Lyon side that pulled off a shock aggregate victory against Cristiano Ronaldo's Juventus. The French side has powerful attacking options and can be lethal in the final third.
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Manchester City looks to set a date with Bayern Munich with a victory against Lyon
A victory against Lyon would mean that Manchester City will have to play against arguably the best team in the world at the moment. Bayern Munich put Barcelona to the sword in ominous fashion yesterday and has ruthlessly announced itself as the favourite to win the Champions League.
Manchester City needs to overcome a tricky Lyon outfit before it can think about arguably its most difficult test of the season against Bayern Munich. Pep Guardiola will want his stars to decide the game early to settle some of Manchester City's nerves.
The Cityzens have plenty of quality all over the pitch and have a definite upper hand in this fixture. Lyon is no pushover, however, and its potent attacking combination and severely dent Manchester City's hopes for an inaugural Champions League title.
#5 Gabriel Jesus, Manchester City
Gabriel Jesus has taken over the mantle from the injured Sergio Aguero and has already started growing into his role as Manchester City's hitman. The Brazilian striker has been a crucial part of Manchester City's attack in the Champions League so far and will have to be at his best against Lyon.
Gabriel Jesus may not have the best conversion rate in the world but his intelligence and presence of mind in the final third have allowed Manchester City to attack with a renewed vigour. The Brazilian often serves as a focal point for his side and his hold-up play has considerably improved over the last few months.
Jesus was brilliant in both legs against Real Madrid and scored a crucial away goal in the first leg to hand Manchester City a massive advantage. The striker was also on hand to take full toll of Raphael Varane's error in the second leg and will have to be just as sharp against Lyon.
#4 Memphis Depay, Lyon
Memphis Depay is one of Lyon's most dangerous attacking threats and can win games all on his own on his day. The Dutchman is a key component of a Lyon side that has managed to spring several surprises so far this season.
Manchester City does not have a good defensive record this season and can be troubled tonight if Memphis Depay decides to summon his immaculate dribbling skills. The former Manchester United forward has scored 6 goals in the Champions League and is a potent threat on the counter.
Memphis Depay has played like he has a point to prove this season and Joao Cancelo and Fernandinho will have to be wary of the Dutchman's pace and trickery.
Also Read: Manchester City vs OL Lyon prediction, preview, team news and more | UEFA Champions League 2019-20
#3 Phil Foden, Manchester City
With the magnificent David Silva hanging up his boots as a Manchester City, Pep Guardiola has decided to hand the baton over to the club's English prodigy, Phil Foden. The youngster has been tasked with most of David Silva's playmaking responsibilities and has done a commendable job so far. Foden will be one of Manchester City's most important players against Lyon.
Phil Foden is a technically gifted player and his pace and poise on the ball give him a distinct advantage in the final third. Foden has already put in excellent performances against some of the best teams in England and in Europe and is widely regarded as one of the best English youngsters in the sport.
The Manchester City midfielder is likely to start alongside his more illustrious colleagues against a Lyon outfit that is likely to put all its eleven players behind the ball in a bid to prevent Manchester City from scoring. Phil Foden may well be the key to unlocking Lyon's defence tonight.
#2 Houssem Aouar, Lyon
Lyon midfielder Houssem Aouar has been a revelation in the Ligue 1 this season. The outrageously talented midfielder possesses the ability to pull the strings from the middle of the park and will have to play his role to perfection to ensure that Manchester City is denied control in the midfield.
Aouar is highly versatile and can be tenacious and creative in equal measure. The Lyon star is blessed with formidable dribbling skills and is capable of moments of magic that can potentially dismantle Manchester City. Houssem Aouar generally brings the best out of Memphis Depay on the pitch and Pep Guardiola will have to devise a plan to nullify his threat.
Aouar has 9 goals and 7 assists this season and his ability to drive into the penalty area can cause Manchester City a number of problems. The Cityzens cannot afford to underestimate a Lyon side that has caused several upsets this season.
#1 Kevin De Bruyne, Manchester City
Kevin De Bruyne's masterclass against Toni Kroos and Luka Modric last week was only a teaser of what the Belgian midfielder is truly capable of. Under Pep Guardiola, De Bruyne has become the best midfielder in the world and is capable of sheer midfielder domination when he is at his best.
Kevin De Bruyne is Manchester City's primary driving force and his creative instincts in the final third have decimated opponents on several occasions this season. The Belgian star has 13 goals and an incredible 20 assists in the Premier League this season and has already established himself as one of the best players in Europe.
Kevin De Bruyne is Manchester City's most potent weapon against Lyon and Pep Guardiola will have to implement a system that gets the best out of the midfielder's prodigious talents. The former Chelsea man is the heart and soul of this Manchester City side and has to step up in the final stages of the competition.
