Slovan Bratislava vs Manchester City Preview

Champions League - League Phase GW2

Previous Results

• Manchester City are currently second in the Premier League. Drawing their last two matches against Arsenal (2-2) and Newcastle (1-1).

• Slovan Bratislava is currently 1st in the Slovak Super Liga, winning their last two matches against Belusa (6-1) and Michalove (4-2). They lost to Celtic in their opening Champions League match (5-1).

Notable Injuries:

• Manchester City are without Nathan Ake, Oscar Bobb, Kevin De Bruyne, and Rodri.

• Slovan Bratislava is without Lukas Pauschek (shoulder) and Adler (shin).

Interesting Stats:

• The last time Slovan Bratislava reached the Champions League was in 1992/92 when it was a different format, this is the first time in their history reaching it in the modern format as we know it. They’ve been in the Conference League for the last three seasons, reaching the KOs, R16, and Group Stages. 

• Slovan Bratislava has finished in the top three of the Slovak Super Liga since the 2014/15 season. 

• Slovan Bratislava has won the last six Slovak Super Liga titles consecutively (2018 - 2024)

Slovan Bratislava usually set up with a 4-2-3-1 in their league and played that same way against Celtic in their first Champions League match. There is a chance off the back of the result against Celtic we see a change in formation but given they are at home, and have little expectations of them for a result, I think it’s more likely they stick to their usual setup. Their lineup against Celtic is below.

As Pep mentioned in his press conference, Bratislava will still try to play, be aggressive, and attack the opposition. Just as we saw from Slovakia's National team at Euro 2024. It’s also important to remember that City will not be as prepared as they would be for more familiar teams in the Premier League and Europe.

One area to keep an eye on over the next several matches is the form of Ederson who I think is quietly returning to his best levels for shot-stopping. There have been some poor goals conceded early in matches, when coming out to stop a 1v1 he’s not timed them all correctly but with his reaction saves Ederson’s been delivering.

John Stones should be coming into the team for this match and I think going forward, at least to January, you’d want to see him in the team more frequently for what we can offer in duels, second balls, and inverting into midfield next to Kovacic.

Guardiola mentioned before the match that the atmosphere in the press conference is like a friendly match and it shouldn’t be. The team is there to compete, that’s the attitude and focus you want to see on the pitch tonight.

I’d like to see Savinho come back into the team for this match, didn’t get many opportunities against Newcastle in the final ten minutes but was electric against Watford last week.

Final Predictions

Ones to Watch:

Manchester City needs Phil Foden back in the team, against Watford he didn’t look quite at it but when he came on against Newcastle you saw he’s ready. One of the best in the world on the half-turn and he’ll provide the cutting edge in the final third that the team will now miss without De Bruyne fit. Not to mention the energy he provides off the ball to the rest of the midfield.

Slovan Bratislava midfielder Tigran Barseghyan has already scored seven league goals and provided two assists. The Armenian usually plays on the wing but has the freedom to move inside. He was their top scorer in the league last season.

Predicted Lineup:

Predicted Score: Slovan Bratislava 0 - 3 Manchester City

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