This is the second time Manchester City will be getting so close to the Champions League final in a row as the trophy remains the Holy Grail for the team after a decade of success and many cityzens now believe this is the year that Josep Guardiola will deliver them that has eluded them when they lost to Tottenham Hotspurs last season.
Lyon does have quality in their ranks but inconsistency, along with some trigger-happy French officials, saw them finish outside of Ligue 1’s European qualifying spots for the upcoming season.
They were down in seventh when the French football season was ended in April and they will miss out on the continental competition for the first time since 1997 unless they can upset the odds and lift this year’s Champions League.
City has performed very well in this year’s competition, topping their group without losing a game and beating the impressive Atalanta 5-1 back in October. Most importantly, when they came up against experienced Real Madrid side in the last 16 they looked comfortable and beat the 13-time European champions home and away.
Manchester City vs Lyon: What the managers said
Josep Guardiola, Man. City manager: “We know them quite well – incredibly well organized, so tight, so aggressive on frontal balls, so fast, people upfront, the quality of wing-backs, good set-piece takers. They are a top team. We must be strong in our minds, knowing the game will be over when it’s over and not before, and try to do our plan. In these games, the mentality, the heart, and the spirit lead to other things. I think the players are ready to do it.”
Rudi Garcia, Lyon coach: “I think the victory against Juventus needs to give us greater confidence. Of course, we do have the greater desire – you get a greater appetite once you begin eating, so to speak. Manchester City are natural favourites for this tie but the start of the Champions League quarter-finals has shown potentially the odds can be overturned. We hope that comes tomorrow night – based on the first two matches the outsiders might be able to overturn the
Man City vs Lyon prediction
“I won’t be surprised if Lyon get this win though, It’s going to be tough but I see City edging this one out 2-1,” said John Nwokocha
“I want Man City to win so that they would face Bayern I want to see something,” said Khaya Ndubane
“After watching Bayern v Barca, all bets are off. Man city will meet Bayern in the final. 4-1 for today’s result though!,” said Lyle Kruger
“It’s a very difficult game but Man City 3-1 Lyon,” said Yemi Ogidi.
“Man City stands a better chance to carry the day although nobody gave Lyon the chance to kick out Juventus I believe strongly that Man City will not treat them as underdogs, they will come fully prepared for the game. Football scoreline is becoming more difficult to predict but I will predict 3-1 in favour of city,” said Olusegun Adebayo
“Man City 3 – Lyon 0”, said Saheed Lanre
As Garcia rightly points out, the first two quarter-finals have shown that the underdogs have nothing to fear with only 90 minutes standing between them and a place in the Champions League semi-finals. Lyon has caused City problems in the recent past but with so many attacking options at Guardiola’s disposal and the confidence from their victory over Real Madrid, City will expect to make it through to the final four. 3-1
Manchester City Predicted XI vs Lyon
Ederson; Walker, Fernandinho, Laporte, Mendy; De Bruyne, Rodri, Gundogan; Mahrez, Jesus, Sterling
Lyon Predicted XI vs Manchester City
Lopes; Denayer, Marcelo, Marcal; Dubois, Caqueret, Guimaraes, Aouar, Cornet; Depay Dembele,
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