Burkina Faso
Czech Republic
Lithuania
Montenegro
Nigeria
North Macedonia
United Arab Emirates

Team News: Bernardo Silva, Rodri start for Manchester City against RB Leipzig, John Stones on bench

sportsmole.co.uk, 4 October 2023, 18:09
Bernardo Silva has been named in Manchester City's starting lineup for tonight's Champions League group-stage clash with RB Leipzig in Germany.

The Portuguese playmaker has recovered from a leg injury sustained in the 3-1 win over Red Star Belgrade in City's opening Group H fixture two weeks ago, and Pep Guardiola has decided to throw him straight into the first XI.

Stones, meanwhile, has been named on the substitutes' bench after recovering from a muscle issue that has kept him sidelined since the Community Shield loss to Arsenal in August.

Guardiola has made a total of five changes to the side that lost 2-1 to Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League last weekend, with Bernardo, Rodri, Rico Lewis, Jack Grealish and Josko Gvardiol - a summer signing from Leipzig - all returning to the first XI.

Gvardiol replaces Nathan Ake at left-back, joining Kyle Walker, Ruben Dias and Manuel Akanji in the back four, while Lewis and Rodri - who returns after missing two domestic games due to suspension - start in midfield at the expense of Mateo Kovacic and Matheus Nunes.

Julian Alvarez and Jeremy Doku have dropped down to the substitutes' bench, as Grealish, Bernardo and Phil Foden provide support in attack for Erling Haaland, who scored five goals in his last meeting against Leipzig in a 7-0 last-16 win earlier this year.

As for Leipzig, Marco Rose has made two changes to the lineup that started the 2-2 draw with Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga last weekend, with Lukas Klostermann replacing the injured Benjamin Henrichs at right-back and Nicolas Seiwald starting ahead of Kevin Kampl in centre-midfield.

Xavi Simons and Emil Forsberg will continue in advanced midfield roles in behind strikers Yussef Poulsen and Lois Openda, while Timo Werner is fit to make the bench following a spell out with a back problem; Benjamin Sesko is also among the replacements for the hosts.

RB Leipzig: Blaswich; Klostermann, Simakan, Lukeba, Raum; Simons, Seiwald, Schlager, Forsberg; Openda, Poulsen

Subs: Gulacsi, Lenz, Haidara, Werner, Baumgartner, Carvalho, Sesko, Kampl

Manchester City: Ederson; Walker, Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol; Lewis, Rodri; Bernardo, Foden, Grealish; Haaland

Subs: Ortega, Carson, Phillips, Stones, Ake, Kovacic, Doku, Alvarez, Gomez, Nunes, Bobb

Show more

Top News

26 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City expert Steven McInerney from Esteemed Kompany believes that Pep Guardiola's side should look to sign a new right-back and left-back in the summer transfer window. 26 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Pundit Don Goodman has tipped Ipswich Town to make a move for Peterborough United winger Kwame Poku should they be relegated to the Championship. 26 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk All transfer business is done and dusted for this season, but that doesn't stop clubs from preparing ahead for next season. 26 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Premier League stars Enzo Fernandez and Alexis Mac Allister got on the scoresheet as Argentina celebrated their World Cup qualification with a dominant 4-1 victory over rivals Brazil. 26 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo has reportedly attracted interest from Eintracht Frankfurt over a potential summer move. 26 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea Women and Manchester City Women will complete their quadruple header when they face off in Thursday's Women's Champions League quarter-final second leg. 25 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Highly-sought-after Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres has reportedly ruled out a possible move to Nottingham Forest this summer. 25 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk On Thursday, Barcelona Women will face Wolfsburg Women in the second leg of the Women's Champions League quarter-final tie. 25 March 2025 talksport.com There may be a sky full of stars at Wembley in September, but there will be a pitch full of stars two hours north. 25 March 2025 talksport.com Real Madrid will be a force to be reckoned with next season. 25 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona defender Inigo Martinez will be fit for Thursday's rescheduled La Liga clash against Osasuna, although Pau Cubarsi faces a battle to prove his fitness in time for the home fixture. 25 March 2025 talksport.com talkSPORT host Andy Goldstein could barely conceal his shock following a rather bold claim from co-host Darren Bent. 25 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Southampton's Tyler Dibling could be at the centre of a transfer battle in the summer following reports that RB Leipzig have contacted the player's camp. 25 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona will return to La Liga action for Thursday's rearranged meeting with Osasuna at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys. 25 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City expert Steven McInerney from Esteemed Kompany has encouraged the Citizens to prioritise signing at least two "technically brilliant" midfielders in the summer transfer window. 25 March 2025 talksport.com Trent Alexander-Arnold is certainly not the first and won't be the last player to depart his boyhood club. 25 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Contrary to rumours earlier this week, Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite has not stated he is unsettled at the club, according to a new report. 25 March 2025 talksport.com Chelsea are set to come up against a former player at this summer's World Cup who has a staggering trophy record as a coach. 25 March 2025 talksport.com Alisha Lehmann claims that online abuse remains an issue despite her ever-growing popularity. 25 March 2025 talksport.com Ally McCoist has omitted two of the Premier League's most celebrated stars from his all-time top three attackers from the division. 25 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Mohamed Salah undisputedly has a greater Premier League legacy than Cristiano Ronaldo, Reds expert David Lynch has argued. 25 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United have reportedly contacted Olympiacos over potentially signing their teenage sensation Charalampos Kostoulas. 25 March 2025 talksport.com Liverpool star Mohamed Salah is not in active talks over a move to Saudi Arabia, talkSPORT understands. 25 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal are reportedly prepared to enter talks with Gabriel Magalhaes over a new contract at the Emirates. 25 March 2025 talksport.com Kevin De Bruyne and Vinicius Jr are among SIX marquee signings being plotted by the Saudi Pro League this summer, talkSPORT understands. 25 March 2025 talksport.com Stan Collymore has issued a passionate defence of Trent Alexander-Arnold amid fan backlash over his move to Real Madrid. 25 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United forward Jadon Sancho is reportedly dreaming of a move to Borussia Dortmund over the summer. 25 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Following the path that Michael Owen and Steve McManaman once ventured down, Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold has reportedly been unable to resist the bright lights of the Bernabeu. 25 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona have reportedly entered talks with the representatives of Atalanta BC attacker Ademola Lookman. 25 March 2025 talksport.com Jack Grealish can rediscover his best form at one specific Premier League club if he leaves Manchester City this summer.