Red Star Belgrade aiming for historic win over reigning UCL champions Man City
FK Crvena Zvezda vs Manchester City - 13/12/2023
Ververidis Vasilis / Shutterstock.com
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Manchester City have won Champions League Group G ahead of Wednesday’s final match against Red Star Belgrade.
The fixture will give Pep Guardiola the chance to rest some star players while getting others back into form.
For Red Star, the Champions League group stage has been a disaster. The team took just one point from the opening 15 on offer. However, a shock win over Man City in Belgrade could send Red Star into third place and the Europa League last-16 playoffs.
These teams met on matchday No. 1 of the group stage at the Etihad Stadium. Manchester City earned a 3-1 win but the game wasn’t as straightforward as the score suggests.
Red Star Belgrade took a first-half lead thanks to a goal from Osman Bukari. Guardiola’s halftime team talk did the trick, as Man City scored three times in the second half to win.
Julian Alvarez scored twice and Rodri added the third for the win.
City ended a poor run of form at the weekend with a come-from-behind 2-1 win over Luton Town in the Premier League. The Sky Blues won just two of their last six games in all competitions.
Injuries and fatigue are playing a part in Man City’s campaign after they won a treble of trophies last season. City’s defence conceded an unbelievable 12 goals in their last six games in all tournaments.
Serbia’s Red Star won their last two matches on the domestic front. However, the Serbian top flight is far different from the Premier League and Champions League. Red Star will be in for a fight against Man City from the off.
The atmosphere in Belgrade should be intense. There, Red Star have a record of 8W-2D-1L this season. Their lone point in the group stage came at home courtesy of a 2-2 draw with Switzerland’s Young Boys.
Man City are gearing up for the FIFA Club World Cup, which begins this week. It is likely that Guardiola will rest key players. Striker Erling Haaland is unlikely to travel to Belgrade due to a foot injury. He is scheduled to play at the Club World Cup, however.
Jeremy Doku is also unlikely to play. Kevin De Bruyne continues his rehab following a hamstring injury. He is due back sooner rather than later. Red Star have no fresh injuries to report.
Man City came back to win 3-1 in the reverse fixture. Despite the injuries, atmosphere in Belgrade, and upcoming Club World Cup, City should ease to another win over Red Star. The game should end 3-0 with City claiming another win in Group G.
Home team
Away team
Pred
Correct score
Avg. goals
Weather conditions
Coef.
Score
Live
coef.
UCL
222652
2
0 - 3
3.41
15°
1.30
8.50
6.00
1.30
no
no
no
2 - 3(0 - 1)
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