Manchester City will look to maintain their unbeaten start to the 2024/25 season when they face Slovan Bratislava at Tehelne Pole in Matchday 2 of the UEFA Champions League. The Premier League giants will be eager to build on their campaign after a solid run so far. Slovan Bratislava, on the other hand, had a rough start to their European campaign with a heavy 5-1 loss to Celtic on Matchday 1.
Despite their struggles in the Champions League, Slovan Bratislava remain dominant in their domestic league and cup competitions. Meanwhile, Manchester City, having drawn 1-1 with Newcastle United in their last match, will aim for a commanding performance to continue their positive form.
Slovan Bratislava vs Manchester City Team News & Tactics
Slovan Bratislava
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Takac; Blackman, Kashia, Wimmer, Medvedev; Kucka, Ignatenko, Tolic; Barseghyan, Strelec, Weiss Jr
Manchester City
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Ortega; Lewis, Stones, Akanji, Gvardiol; Nunes, Kovacic; Savinho, Silva, Doku; Foden
Here are the key stats ahead of the match between Slovan Bratislava and Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League:
- First Meeting: Tuesday’s match will mark the first meeting between Slovan Bratislava and Manchester City in a major European competition. Slovan Bratislava have won just 2 of their 12 matches against English opposition (D2 L8), losing the last five encounters. Manchester City will also face a Slovakian team for the first time.
- Home Debut in UCL: Slovan Bratislava will play their first-ever home game in the UEFA Champions League. However, they have a strong history in the European Cup, winning all six of their home matches in the competition, including a notable 1-0 win over Derby County in September 1975.
- City’s Away Record: Manchester City are unbeaten in their last 11 away games in the Champions League (W5 D6), winning four of their last five. This is their longest away unbeaten run in the competition.
- Record Chase: If City win or draw on Tuesday, they will tie Manchester United’s record for the longest unbeaten run in European Cup/UEFA Champions League history—25 games between September 2007 and May 2009. City are currently on 24 unbeaten matches (W16 D8).
- Guardiola’s Record: This will be Pep Guardiola’s first match against Slovan Bratislava. Guardiola has won 27 of 28 games when facing a new team for the first time since 2019 (D1), following a 2-3 defeat to Norwich City in the Premier League.
Player to Watch
Phil Foden
Phil Foden is gradually finding his feet after a standout 2023/24 season, but the first few weeks of the 2024/25 campaign have been slower for him. Pep Guardiola has managed his minutes carefully, giving him some time off to recharge, and Foden is now beginning to rediscover his form.
Since the start of last season, Foden has been directly involved in more goals following a carry (five – two goals and three assists) than any other player in the UEFA Champions League. His three assists, shared with Jude Bellingham, are also the joint-most in the competition during this period. Foden’s attacking contributions will be pivotal as Manchester City looks to maintain their dominance, and he will aim to step up and make an impact this midweek.
Prediction
Slovan Bratislava 1-3 Manchester City
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