Manchester City simply need to avoid against Lyon in the Champions League tonight to progress to the next round, and victory will secure top spot in Group F.
Measure of success
Few expect them to slip up, but manager Pep Guardiola knows qualification for the knock-out stages of the tournament does not even count as the bare minimum expected from his side.
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“For the people who don’t love us too much, who use money as an argument, then we have failed if we don’t win the Champions League,” he admitted.
However, Guardiola is pleased with the way City reacted to defeat against Lyon in the opening match of the campaign. Indeed, victory in France would be the first time Guardiola has won three away group games in the Champions League.
Reflecting on that result he said: “We lost the first game against a tough team and we have the chance to qualify. We come to do our jobs.
“The first thing is to qualify and then to finish first in the group and we travel here to do that. You lose the first game at home and the group stage becomes so tough. We did our job winning the next three.”
Foden to get his chance
Only 19 players have travelled to France, and with Ilkay Gundogan and Bernardo Silva out the Manchester Evening News says it “seems like the perfect opportunity to start Phil Foden in a meaningful match”.
The Daily Mail agrees. “With options limited, it must now be time for the 18-year-old to be thrown into the deep end for a game that really does matter.
“Victory means City would qualify and top the group. To do that with Foden alongside David Silva and Fernandinho would be some statement.”
Bounce back
City's recovery after the embarrassing opening defeat could set them in good stead says the paper.
“If they are to eventually win the Champions League, Guardiola wants to do so with panache. That, for him, is made more possible if they are tested in the group stages. It has happened this time, even if they are aiming to finish with 15 points.”
