On Saturday evening, Chelsea will make the journey up north to face Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City in what promises to be an exciting clash. Guardiola’s side has been on an impressive winning streak, seemingly unstoppable. The Blues have also shown a significant improvement in their performances compared to earlier in the 2023/24 season. Mauricio Pochettino, who has faced Guardiola both domestically and in Europe during his time at Tottenham and Paris Saint-Germain, is well-acquainted with his counterpart. The memorable 2019 quarter-final at the Etihad Stadium, where Pochettino’s Spurs triumphed over City, comes to mind. If Saturday’s match can provide even a fraction of the same level of entertainment, it will undoubtedly leave everyone satisfied. As the game is expected to be a sell-out, those unable to attend in person can still enjoy the action by watching a live stream of the Man City v Chelsea match.
Guardiola, however, has had to pay a price for their recent Champions League victory over RB Leipzig. Injuries to Bernardo Silva and Jack Grealish are likely to keep them out of the upcoming showdown. Guardiola expressed his concerns about the injuries, stating that Silva has a significant knock on his ankle, while Grealish appears to have a muscular issue. The manager acknowledged the impact both players had on the team’s performance, particularly Grealish’s ability to set the right tempo. City’s preparations for the game will undoubtedly be affected by the absence of these key players, especially considering Liverpool’s potential victory earlier in the day, which would increase the pressure on the reigning champions.
Pochettino has been supportive of his team thus far, choosing to back his players and provide them with opportunities to improve. It is evident that Chelsea’s results need to improve, and Pochettino acknowledges this. However, it was always understood that he was embarking on a project rather than expecting immediate success. After a significant number of player sales last summer, it was expected that it would take time for Chelsea’s new squad to gel together. Thanks to Pochettino’s hard work, the team is now starting to reap the rewards. With nothing to lose, Chelsea is likely to take an attacking approach against their opponents, making this match a must-watch for all football fans.
According to the Source caughtoffside.com