Combined XI: Bayern Munich vs. Manchester City

Man City were clear winners in front of their own supporters, with Pep Guardiola's side scoring three unanswered goals through Rodri, Bernardo Silva and Erling Braut Haaland to take control of the tie.

The Citizens are on the cusp of advancing to the semi-finals, but Bayern are certainly capable of producing the type of performance that will be required to turn the tie around.

Man City will enter the match off the back of a 3-1 victory over Leicester City in the Premier League on Saturday, which made it 10 straight wins in all competitions.

Bayern, though, were held to a 1-1 draw by Hoffenheim at Allianz Arena in the Bundesliga last time out.

There will be a number of the world's leading players on display in this match, and with that in mind, Sports Mole picks a combined XI from both squads, using only players available for the second leg of the Champions League quarter-final.

Ederson gets the nod between the sticks in this side, and it was not a hugely difficult decision due to the absence of Manuel Neuer through injury. Yann Sommer had some excellent moments in the first leg last week but also some shaky ones, and Ederson deserves to be named in this side, with the Brazilian making 39 appearances during another strong campaign for Man City.

There are two Citizens defenders in the side, with John Stones being joined by Ruben Dias; Stones has actually played as a midfielder in recent weeks, including in the first leg, but he features at right-back for the purposes of this XI, which is a position that he can operate in.

Stones has not always been at his best this season, but the Englishman's recent form has been excellent, and he is chosen ahead of teammates Nathan Ake, Aymeric Laporte and Manuel Akanji. Dias, meanwhile, was at his towering best in the first leg, and the Portuguese has made 34 appearances during another strong season.

There are also two representatives from Bayern at the back in the shape of Matthijs de Ligt and Alphonso Davies. Both have been key players for the German champions this season, making 36 appearances each, and the pair have enjoyed strong campaigns to date.

The lack of a genuine choice for Man City at left-back made it easy to choose the excellent Davies, while De Ligt is picked ahead of Dayot Upamecano, who made a number of mistakes in the first leg last week.

In midfield, there simply had to be a spot for the excellent Joshua Kimmich, who has arguably been Bayern's best player this season, featuring on 40 occasions in all competitions, scoring five goals and registering nine assists in the process, including three assists in the Champions League.

The other two players in the middle are from Man City, with Rodri included alongside Kevin De Bruyne. No player has featured more times for the Citizens this season than Rodri, who has 44 appearances to his name, and he netted a brilliant goal in the first leg between the two sides last week.

De Bruyne has not always been at his best this season, but he has managed seven goals and 25 assists in 40 appearances in all competitions, with the Belgium international a vital player for the English champions. There simply could not be a combined XI without the 31-year-old, who is undoubtedly one of the best midfielders in world football.

There are also two Man City players in the final third of the field, with Bernardo Silva featuring alongside Erling Braut Haaland. Jack Grealish's recent form put him in serious contention, but Bernardo gets the nod over the England international.

Bernardo's future continues to be called into question, and it would not be a shock to see him leave this summer, but the 28-year-old has been a key player again this term, making 43 appearances in all competitions, contributing five goals and six assists in the process. If he became available this summer, there would not be a team in world football that would not want the Portugal international.

Haaland's spot, obviously, was never in doubt. The Norway international has had a remarkable campaign at the Etihad Stadium following his arrival from Borussia Dortmund, scoring 47 goals and registering six assists in 40 appearances, including 11 goals in the Champions League. Fears that the 22-year-old would not be able to replicate his previous form in English football have been dispelled.

The final position in this XI goes to Jamal Musiala, who has had an excellent season for Bayern to date, making 40 appearances in all competitions, contributing 15 goals and 13 assists in the process. The Germany international has only just turned 20 years old but is already a key player for Bayern, and his form this season sees him chosen over the likes of Leroy Sane, Sadio Mane, Kingsley Coman, Riyad Mahrez and Julian Alvarez.

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