Manchester City must quickly refocus following a potentially disastrous 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest at the weekend, with attention now turning to RB Leipzig and the Champions League.
European glory remains the elusive holy grail for City and Pep Guardiola, with the boss now in his 12th year since last lifting the famous Champions League trophy with Barcelona.
City don’t have an easy task in the last 16, especially away from home, but will hope to at least given themselves a solid foundation ahead of the second leg in Manchester next month.
Here’s a look at the starting XI that Guardiola could pick…
GK: Ederson – Hasn’t played a Champions League game since early October because Stefan Ortega was given the nod as soon as City’s place in the knockout rounds was secure.
CB: Kyle Walker – Right centre-back is a role he has often played for England in recent years so the ongoing transition at club level shouldn’t be a problem.
CB: Aymeric Laporte – Has largely been favoured since the switch to a back three in recent weeks, although Manuel Akanji is another option for Guardiola.
CB: Ruben Dias – Still yet to hit top form since his return from injury but started each of the last three Premier League games and completed 90 minutes in the last two.
DM: Rodri – Has been guilty of a few wobbles of late but completes 90 minutes almost every time.
DM: Bernardo Silva – A new deep-lying playmaker role was an unexpected change but has given the versatile star another arrow in his quiver.
RM: Riyad Mahrez – His record in Europe is good, as shown by 13 Champions League goals in the last two and a half years alone.
AM: Kevin De Bruyne – Playing in this more advanced position allows him to focus more on creativity, with additional protection behind him.
AM: Ilkay Gundogan – Oddly didn’t manage a single goal contribution during the group stage but was playing a much deeper role than he will be here.
LM: Jack Grealish – Faces competition from Phil Foden but comes into this one with two goal involvements in his last two appearances.
ST: Erling Haaland – By his remarkable standards this season, only one goal in four February appearances so far represents a drought. Netted five times in the group stage, though.
Credit: 90min.com
