3 Man City players Guardiola must drop ahead of their Champions League clash

Crisis… What crisis? Manchester City thrashed West Bromwich Albion 4-0 in the Premier League at the weekend to put an end to their six-game winless run in style.

Braces from Sergio Aguero and summer signing Ilkay Gundogan saw Pep Guardiola’s side comfortably ease past the Baggies at The Hawthorns on Saturday, with the Citizens still level on points (23) with Arsenal and Liverpool at the top of the English top-flight standings.

Photo: Simon Stacpoole / Offside.

Next up for City, the reverse Champions League clash with La Liga giants FC Barcelona.

Last time out, less than a fortnight ago, the five-time European champions trampled over the Premier League side, mauling former boss Guardiola’s men 4-0 at the Nou Camp, with the inspirational Lionel Messi netting a hat-trick.

This time, Barca visit the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday night, with the hosts bidding to win their first European game since their opening 4-0 victory over Borussia Monchengladbach in Group C, where they have since also drawn 3-3 at Celtic.

With that in mind, here are THREE players Guardiola should drop to give City the best chance of beating Barcelona tonight…

Fernando

Photo: Simon Stacpoole / Offside.

This is only if Bacary Sagna or Pablo Zabaleta (Pictured) are fully fit and pass late fitness tests.

The 29-year-old midfielder filled in at right-back during their West Brom mauling at the weekend, whilst Sagna recovers from a hamstring tear, and Zabaleta picked up a foot injury in the reverse loss to Barca in Spain.

However, if either regular full-back is deemed fit enough to feature at the Etihad tonight, then Guardiola could opt to drop the predominant defensive midfielder.

Nolito

Photo: Mark Leech / Offside.

After star striker Sergio Aguero was surprisingly left out of City’s starting eleven in Barcelona, Nolito was seemingly given the responsibility to lead his side’s attacking duties at the Nou Camp.

Yes, the Spaniard was far from threatening, but let’s be honest, scoring and dominating in the final third of the pitch on Barcelona’s home turf was never going to be a walk in the park.

Guardiola has already confirmed Aguero will start tonight, meaning Nolito could drop out of the starting XI, with Kevin De Bruyne tipped to replace him.

Claudio Bravo

Photo: Simon Stacpoole / Offside.

No ifs, or buts, Guardiola will be without his preferred shot stopper tonight due to suspension.

The 33-year-old summer signing is banned for tonight’s reverse fixture at the Etihad after receiving a red card against his former team-mates in their 4-0 loss a couple of weeks ago.

Instead, Willy Caballero is set to deputise in goal, having kept just one clean sheet in seven appearances in all competitions so far this season.