City holding nothing back against Dynamo Kyiv
Monday, March 14, 2016
Article summary
"We need to win the game and will put out the strongest squad we can," said Manuel Pellegrini, with City not getting complacent at 3-1 up against Dynamo Kyiv.
Article top media content
Article body
- Manuel Pellegrini declares Yaya Touré fit to play in this Dynamo decider
- City are aiming to reach the quarter-finals of the competition for the first time
- This is Dynamo's 14th attempt to win a European game in England
- Goals from Sergio Agüero, David Silva and Yaya Touré gave City a 3-1 first-leg win
- Midfielder Serhiy Rybalka, ever-present in Dynamo's European campaign, ruled out
Possible lineups
Manchester City: Hart; Sagna, Kompany, Otamendi, Clichy; Fernandinho, Touré; Navas, Silva, Sterling; Aguero.
Out: Delph (calf), De Bruyne (knee), Tasende (suspended)
Doubtful: none
Misses next match if booked: none
Dynamo Kyiv: Shovkovskiy; Vida, Khacheridi, Dragovic, Antunes; Veloso, Buyalskiy, Garmash, Yarmolenko, Gusev; Teodorczyk.
Out: Rybka (knee), Morozyuk (knee), Moraes (adductor), Petrović (unspecified), Burda (unspecified), Myakushko (unspecified), Rybalka (groin)
Doubtful: Danilo Silva (muscle)
Misses next match if booked: Danilo Silva, Rybalka, Korzun, Buyalskiy
Manuel Pellegrini, Manchester City manager
I think we have improved in the competition because before I arrived here this group didn't qualify for the last 16. We did it twice in the last two years. I think this year we have improved a little bit more because we have won the group and now we have the option to continue to the next round.
The most important thing is to know that we are not already qualified. We play against a big team who know how to play this type of game, so that for me is the first target of the club. After that, we try to see who we have to play in the quarter-finals.
We are starting at 0-0 and trying to be a better team than Dynamo here at home. We will put out a strong squad. We need to win the game and will put out the strongest squad we can.
Serhiy Rebrov, Dynamo coach
We will try to rid ourselves of the nerves. I think we have a chance provided the players don't feel nervous. If they are relaxed they will create chances. We will fight for a result, regardless of the result of the first leg.
We have to be focused, we have to work hard and we have to be strong. But most of all we have to be a team. We have a lot of good players, but we have to be a team. We want to play at full steam from the start of the match - but it doesn't always happen.
Weekend results
Norwich 0-0 Manchester City
Sergio Agüero was twice frustrated by goalkeeper John Ruddy while City had a scare of their own when Patrick Bamford hit the crossbar for the hosts from 30 metres. The point leaves City well off the pace in the title race.
Karpaty 1-2 Dynamo Kyiv (Chachua 27; Teodorczyk 55, Yarmolenko 64)
Leaders Dynamo Kyiv made it 16 wins from 18 league matches this term, with Denys Garmash setting up both goals. Rebrov gave debuts to 19-year-olds Artem Besedin and Pavlo Orikhovskiy in the second half.
Form guide (all competitions, most recent first)
Manchester City: DWLDWL
Dynamo: WWDLWW
Reporter's view: Simon Hart (@UEFAcomSimonH)
Since the first leg, City have won their first trophy of the season – the League Cup – but their Premier League form has been mixed. Pellegrini's men suffered a heavy defeat at Liverpool and dropped two more points at struggling Norwich at the weekend, yet in front of their home supporters you would expect an improvement against Dynamo. City have never before reached the quarter-finals – they will not have many better chances than this.
Did you know?
Dynamo have never won in England; their record in 13 visits is two draws and 11 defeats. Our match background has more.