Perennial Serbian champions Red Star conclude another unsuccessful Champions League campaign with a visit from holders Manchester City on Wednesday night.
Much like their previous two appearances in the competition proper, Red Star will finish bottom of their group. However, in both 2018 and 2019, the Belgrade outfit managed to claim one victory – famously defeating Liverpool five years ago.
City do not seem like Red Star’s best bet to end this season’s winless streak. Pep Guardiola’s side may be enduring a sticky patch domestically – Sunday’s comeback victory over Luton Town concluded their own four-game barren spell – but they have been imperious on the continent.
Triumphant in all five Champions League games thus far, City recorded a season-high tally of shots (37) in a 3-1 win over Red Star in September.
Here’s everything you need to know about City’s bid to extend their perfect group-stage record.
Red Star vs Man City H2H Record (All Time)
Current form (all competitions)
|
Country |
TV channel/live stream |
|---|---|
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United Kingdom |
TNT Sports 2, discovery+ App, discovery+ |
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United States |
ViX, Univision NOW, TUDN USA, UniMás, Paramount+, TUDN App, TUDN.com |
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Canada |
DAZN |
Red Star had not attempted a single shot before Osman Bukari hared into City’s half when the two clubs met at the Etihad Stadium three months ago. After a lengthy VAR review, Bukari’s clinical finish was allowed to stand, giving Red Star a half-time lead over the defending champions despite a laughable shot count of 22-1.
However, Bukari may not be given the chance to find the net again against City after a lacklustre league display on the weekend. Bukari was one of three players Barak Bakhar hauled off at half-time as his side were being held by Mladost Lucani. Jovan Mijatovic replaced Bukari and swiftly fired Red Star in front before teeing up Hwang In-beom to make it 3-1.
Flexible enough to play with one or two strikers in a back-four or five, manager Bakhar has plenty of options at his disposal.
Red Star predicted lineup vs Man City (5-3-2): Glazer; Mijailovic, Djiga, Dragovic, Rodic, Mitrovic; Hwang, Katai, Stamenic; Olayinka, Mijatovic
No Erling Haaland for Man City’s trip to Luton today…
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The glaring absentee from Manchester City’s roster will be Erling Haaland. City’s leading scorer missed the victory over Luton with what Guardiola described as a “bone stress reaction in his foot”. Upon clarification, this was not a stress fracture but a more minor issue that could be resolved imminently.
However, Wednesday’s trip to Serbia will likely come too soon for Haaland and Jeremy Doku. The fleet-footed wide man has been struggling with a hamstring problem of late but is also on the cusp of a return.
Kevin De Bruyne has been included in City’s Club World Cup squad but Guardiola played down expectations of the Belgian’s immediate return. With City’s place atop the group confirmed, Guardiola may be tempted to ring the changes for this dead rubber.
Man City predicted lineup vs Red Star (4-3-3): Ortega; Akanji, Stones, Ake, Gvardiol; Lewis, Rodri, Nunes; Bobb, Foden, Grealish
Red Star may come into the contest with their European elimination confirmed but they can be buoyed by a piece of history. Victory on the weekend extended Red Star’s unbeaten home run to 122 league matches, surpassing Real Madrid’s world record.
This dominance at the Marakana does not extend to continental competition but Red Star will not be helpless bystanders to City’s brilliance, as Guardiola warned ahead of the reverse fixture: “Quick in transitions, good runners and when they attack, they have lots of players in the final third.”
Nevertheless, City remain heavy favourites – with Red Star’s attacking instincts potentially offering the visitors space to launch forward thrusts of their own.
Prediction: Red Star 0-3 Man City
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