A lot on the media in England might consider this to be as a very winnable game for Manchester City, but surely Dynamo Kiev will be looking at this like a tie that may be as good as it could possibly get for the team finishing second from the Group Stage. That will make this an intriguing tie and Dynamo Kiev need to take advantage of being home within the First Leg if they're going to make it to the Quarter Finals.
It have been three seasons since Dynamo Kiev were last inside Champions League before this one but they also have expertise in Knock Out football in Europe. Last season they reached the Quarter Final in the Europa League and beat Everton in the process, while Dynamo Kiev were built with a goalless home draw with Chelsea within the Group Stage.
This could be the first competitive game Dynamo Kiev have played since Match Day 6 in the Champions League Group Stage whenever they were 1-0 winners over Maccabi Tel Aviv. Dynamo Kiev are unbeaten inside their last 6 home games inside Champions League and they've won 5 uninterruptedly here albeit the last of those being played back in December inside a competitive environment.
Antunes is suspended with this game.
Manuel Pellegrini has always appear an honest and respected manager and the man proved he became a man of his word on Sunday. After criticising the scheduling on the FA Cup Fifth Round tie against Chelsea, Pellegrini played a newbie Manchester City team which team was beaten 5-1 at Stamford Bridge on this Champions League game the priority.
Pellegrini has clearly not been in awe of the lack of support his Manchester City happen to be given considering they can be chasing four trophies, however the next week could see two more take a backseat. It would be a bitter blow if Pellegrini were to leave The Etihad Stadium without preparing the trophy cabinet, but it is a club which also wants to a minimum of make the Quarter Finals with the Champions League initially.
Winning the Group over Juventus has given Manchester City an 'easier' draw inside the Second Round, nevertheless they can't underestimate Dynamo Kiev. Manchester City have won 3 of these last 5 away games inside the Champions League, nonetheless they head into this fixture having lost 3 repeatedly in all competitions in my ballet shoes since November 2010.
There are several injuries within the Manchester City squad, but expect names like Joe Hart, Vincent Kompany, Yaya Toure, David Silva, Raheem Sterling and Sergio Aguero to get restored on the starting eleven having missed the experience on Sunday.
Dynamo Kiev knocked out Manchester City inside the 2011 Europa League as a result of a 2-0 home win within the First Leg before a 1-0 decrease of Manchester.
Forget what are the media along with the layers will likely be feeling about it tie for Manchester City, I also think Dynamo Kiev are going to become very happy with all the Second Round draw and may fancy their probability of progressing. The English media certainly expect Manchester City being far too good over two Legs, but Dynamo Kiev played Chelsea very competitively both in Group games plus the pressure is on Manuel Pellegrini's men.
There is little doubt the squad will have heard the a feeling of expectation for their shoulders, but Manchester City have not yet get past the Second Round from the Champions League. That inexperience of winning a Knock Out tie is challenging to dismiss too hot too fast, while Manchester City choosing a lump sum 3 uninterruptedly in all competitions and conceded 10 goals in those games.
I wouldn't read an excessive amount into the 5-1 loss at Stamford Bridge within the Cup that has a reserve team playing, but Manchester City choosing a lump sum to Leicester City and Tottenham Hotspur inside Premier League too. I do think the absence in the likes of Kevin de Bruyne and Jesus Navas are a wide blow for Manchester City, nevertheless the return of Vincent Kompany might provide them with the leader they have already been missing defensively.
I am guessing Dynamo Kiev include the home underdog having not played a competitive football game since December, but Manchester City look very short considering injuries and recent form. Manchester City did possess a couple of impressive away wins inside the Champions League Group, but Dynamo Kiev are unbeaten in 9 home games in European football.
The home team also use a solid run to your Europa League Quarter Final last season as a possible experience builder of Knock Out football, while it has to become said that Dynamo Kiev have drawn 3 of the last 4 in your own home in Europe. I can't have Manchester City winning here, but I think their superior fitness is able to see Manuel Pellegrini's side return home that has a positive result.
For just a small interest I would choose the draw from this Second Round First Leg.
TV INFO:
Arena Sport (Ser)
beIN Sport (Fra)
BT Sport
C+ Poland
C+ Sport (Pol)
Digi Sport 3 (Cze/Svk)
Digi Sport 3 (Hun)
Dolce Sport
FutbolKanal Ukraine
Match TVO2 Sport 2
ORF
OTE Sport
RTE Two
Sky Sport (Ger)
Sport 1 (Hun)
SportKlub (Slo)
Sport TV (Por)
TV3+TV6 (Lit)
ViaPlay (Den)
ViaPlay (Fin)
ViaPlay (Nor)
ViaPlay (Swe)
Viasat Football (Nor)
Viasat Fotbool (Swe)
Viasat Sport (Swe)
Ziggo Sport Extra
Dynamo Kiev possible starting lineup:
Shovkovsky; Danilo Silva, Khacheridi, Dragovic, Makarenko; Rybalka, Sydorchuk, Husyev, Garmash, Gonzalez; Junior Moraes
Man City possible starting lineup:
Hart; Zabaleta, Kompany, Otamendi, Clichy; Fernando, Fernandinho; Silva, Toure, Sterling; Aguero
