Football Ground Map
Football Ground Map
Both clubs are defending champions on the home front but meet on the Champions League stage for the first time in history.
Young Boys have not significantly impacted Europe, but they keep showing up in tournaments (Champions League, Europa League, Conference League). The Swiss Champions began their title defense with two wins and two draws from their first four games. They claimed a 2-1 win over Lausanne in their season opener - a game Cedric Itten scored a stoppage-time winner - before playing out a 2-2 draw with Yverdon in the second league game of the season.
The Swiss champions then returned to winning ways with a comprehensive 5-2 bashing of Winterthur. Joel Monteiro, Itten, Silevre Ganvoula, Fabian Rieder and Jean-Pierre Nsame got the goals. For the second successive game on the road, Young Boys were held to a draw by Luzern. Loris Benito scored a stoppage-time equalizer after some fine work by Itten. The first win on the road came in the Swiss Cup, a 5-0 stroll over Breitenrain. Young Boys made it to the UEFA Champions League group stages via the playoffs, in which they defeated Maccabi Haifa 3-0 on aggregate.
After the success on the European stage, Young Boys resumed regular service, claiming wins over Servette and Xamax in the Swiss Cup and League, respectively. Their first Champions League game of the season ended in a defeat to RB Leipzig at home. On the home front, they won 4-1 against Lugano before suffering a first league defeat since May at the hands of St. Gallen.
Manchester City has started like a house on fire in the Premier League, which has come on the back of a UEFA Cup success over Sevilla. Pep Guardiola's side began the season with an easy 3-0 win over Burnley at Turf Moor courtesy of goals from Erling Haaland (brace) and Rodri. Although Newcastle tried to prove stubborn at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester City beat them 1-0 before another hard-fought 2-1 win over newly-promoted Sheffield United. Haaland and Rodri were the goal scorers once again. A thumping 5-1 mauling of Fulham where Haaland grabbed his first hat trick of the season.
After the international break, the Citizens came from a goal down to beat West Ham United 3-1 at the London Stadium. Summer signing Jeremy Doku got his first goal for the club and played a part in the other ones as Guardiola returned to the technical bench after his surgery. A similar act played out in the Champions League opener against Red Star Belgrade as Man City needed a second-half comeback to win in front of the Citizens. Alvarez (brace) and Rodri turned the game on its head. A routine win over Nottingham Forest followed in the league, but it came at a cost, as Rodri was sent off. However, the first defeat of the season in all competitions came after the home league win, with Newcastle winning the tight contest at St. James' Park 1-0.
City have suffered their first campaign loss in surprising fashion, though, losing 2-1 to Wolves in the Premier League in what shocked many. However, an upset is not expected here, and City should be able to take all three points home.
This is their first-ever meeting, and it is a game that Young Boys need to get something from if they want to play in the second round of the competition. Manchester City can win this without stress, and it remains to be seen whether Guardiola's boys will deliver a vintage performance in Bern.
The match at Wankdorf Stadium kicks off on Wednesday, 25th September, at 8 pm UK time, and it will be shown live on TNT Sports, with coverage starting from around 7 PM.
The Champions League is unique, and for the second time this season, the 32,000-capacity stadium in Bern is more than capable enough to host this contest. Manchester City fans will be there cheering their team up in this game.
Manchester City are defending champions, and a trip to Switzerland should guarantee a whole house. Getting tickets for Young Boys vs Manchester City tickets will be challenging, given the significance of the game and the kind of opposition. Hence, you are advised to search ticket reselling sites should they be expectedly sold out on each club's channels.
Young Boys deployed a 4-3-1-2 formation in their previous home defeat to Leipzig and might opt for a change here. Apart from Kastriot Imeri, a long-term absentee, they have several players available.
Young Boys: Racioppi; Janko, Amenda, Camara, Benito; Niasse, Lauper, Garcia; Ugrinic; Elia, Itten
Erling Haaland continues to do great things for Manchester City. He scored 12 goals in the Champions League last season, more than any other player, and has been scoring for fun in the Premier League. Guardiola has found a way to play the Norwegian alongside Julian Alvarez, and this might be the selection again. Meanwhile, Kevin De Bruyne (hamstring) and John Stone are notable absentees. Matheus Nunes is an option in midfield, while Walker should continue in his right-back position.
Manchester City: Ederson; Walker, Dias, Akanji, Ake; Rodri, Nunez; Doku, Alvarez, Foden; Haaland
The enormous pressure around Guardiola to deliver the UEFA Champions League has decreased since last season's success. Regardless, they have been excellent across all games this campaign. One thing about City is that they score many goals, and Young Boys must stop them from doing that.
Of the five games Young Boys have played against English opposition at home, they have won two: Manchester United and Tottenham. And that might be the motivation going into this game.
Young Boys 0-3 Manchester City
My daughter's first ever football match - Orlando City v Atlanta United, August 2019. Written for Izzy to read when she gets old enough. Vamos Orlando
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