Leroy Sane is in contention to feature in some capacity for Manchester City, who are set to face FC Basel in a Round of 16 first leg tie on Tuesday.
Pep Guardiola’s men resume European action against FC Basel, as Manchester City travel for the first-leg of their Champions League Round of 16 knockout clash. With a significant lead in the Premier League, they can entirely focus their energies on Champions League progression.
With that in mind, Pep Guardiola is expected to field his strongest starting eleven in Switzerland in hopes of bringing a significant advantage back to the Etihad. Claudio Bravo has featured in cup games this season, but considering the magnitude of the tie, Ederson should take the position between the sticks.
John Stones has reportedly returned to training after recovering from a knee injury, but Pep Guardiola will be able to use new signing Aymeric Laporte ahead of the Englishman. Partnering Laporte in central defence would be Nicolas Otamendi.
Kyle Walker will undoubtedly start at right-back, while Danilo should return on the left side of the Manchester City defence, replacing Oleksandr Zinchenko. Fabian Delph, too, has returned to training, but the game has come too soon for him.
Pep Guardiola is set to stick with his recent midfield formula of Ilkay Gundogan, Fernandinho and Kevin De Bruyne, as David Silva has been in and out of the team since December due to injury and personal reasons. The Spaniard is available for Manchester City, but could start on the bench on Tuesday.
Gabriel Jesus (knee) and Leroy Sane (ankle) have both returned from their respective injuries in recent days and training with the squad. But, while Jesus is still a couple of weeks away from returning to action, Sane is in line to return to the matchday squad, as confirmed by Guardiola in his pre-match press conference.
“I’m surprised. He worked a lot. He’s young but I couldn’t expect him to be so professional. He’s not in perfect condition but he won a lot of time, he wants to help us. He’s with us and that’s good news. The physios and himself have made a good job.”
Sergio Aguero will be City’s central striker in Jesus’ absence, with Raheem Sterling and Bernardo Silva on the wings. Sterling has been prolific in the Champions League this season, having scored four goals in five appearances so far, and he should be a key figure again for Manchester City.
