UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE2020-21
Incredibly for a coach considered to be
one of the greatest tacticians of all time,
nine years have passed since City boss
Pep Guardiola masterminded his last
triumph in the Champions League. He
did not reach one final in his three years
at the Bayern Munich helm and, since
taking over at Manchester City, has never
gone beyond the quarter-final stage. Has
he lost his touch? Is he suffering from a
curse or hoodoo? Whatever the reasons,
Pep is, like it or not, under increasing
pressure to break out of this tail-spin.
The key for City is consistency, making
sure they find a way not to carelessly let
their guard down. Last season they beat
mighty Real Madrid home and away in
the last16. The scalp of theGalacticos
should have been a platform for a full-
throttle glory run. But at the next hurdle,
it was the same old story, succumbing
3-1 to Lyon. City were clearly the better
team and fashioned more chances. Yet
ultimately were sent packing, let down
by lapses in concentration and their
The favourites
In five years in charge at Anfield, German
technical-area livewireJurgen Klopp has
already snagged one Champions League
trophy (2018-19), finished as runner-up
in the same competition (2017-18) and
achieved a silver medal in the 2015-16
Europa League. Given the Reds’ total
domination of last season’s Premier
League and the club’s long-standing love
of continental head-to-heads, it would be
a shock on a seismic scale if they did not
progress deep into the 2020-21 edition.
Winning their first English league title
in three decades has lifted a substantial
weight from their shoulders. Yet don’t
expect the waves of relief to reduce the
drive, hunger and focus which Klopp has
instilled in his dynamic charges. Klopp
tellingly talks about being “in the middle
of something”, of going for more titles. He
has chosen his personnel carefully. No
one will be jumping off this express train.
Many will justifiably argue that their
squad is even stronger. New Spanish
schemer Thiago Alcantara – lured away
MANCHESTER CITY
The pressure is on Pep to deliver
from Bayern Munich for a ridiculously
low £27 million fee – will enliven the
midfield area with his touch and vision,
while recently-signed ex-Wolves forward
DiogoJota is just one more jewel in the
Merseysiders’ attacking crown. At £45m
the most expensive forward in Liverpool’s
history,Jota can be inconsistent at times,
but undoubtedly has plenty to bring to
the table in terms of his direct style of
play, boldness and flair for goals. As Klopp
willhavenoted,helovestopresstoo.How important will rotation be?
Vital. Their high-octanegegenpressing
style is demanding both physically and
mentally. Several consecutive years of
perpetual motion naturally takes its toll,
thus increasing the need for more of a
squad effort with good quality back-ups.How important is it for Henderson
to be fully fit and operational?
In the Liverpool engine room, skipper
Jordan Henderson is the individual who
oils the moving parts. The Sunderland-
born man is at one and the same time, a
link-man, a directional compass, limitless
source of energy and work-rate monster.Will Liverpool be at a disadvantage
should Anfield be empty?
On a European night, the noise and
passion generated at Anfield has proved
the fuel for many an exploit. Undoubtedly
the Reds will miss the incredible fervour
of their12th man. That said, striving and
gritting their teeth is in the players’ DNA.vulnerability to swift counter-attacks.
Even with David Silva leaving the
Etihad this summer for one last hurrah
with Real Sociedad, City are still spoilt
for choice in the attacking third. Last
season, they became only the fifth
Premier League side to hit100 goals in
a single campaign and there’s no reason
to believe that the flow of firepower will
come to an end any time soon.Can City solve their well-
documented defensive deficiencies?
There is lot to put right. Individual losses
of concentration at the back and a
laissez-faireattitude to counter attacks
are the major problems. The arrival of
Portuguese centre-back Ruben Dias
(ex-Benfica) should prove beneficial.Does Pep overthink his strategy
on the big occasion in Europe?
Without damning this monument of a
coach, it is a valid argument. In European
defeats with Bayern and City, he has at
times outfoxed himself, gone overboard in
looking for the revolutionary checkmate.
His attempts at surprising the opposition
only have had the opposite effect.How important is Aguero’s return?
When ArgentinegoleadorSergio Aguero
is on the pitch, City always look far more
formidable. Brazilian front-man Gabriel
Jesusmoveswonderfullyofftheball,
but can be wasteful in the red zone.LIVERPOOL
Ready for another tilt at glory
Star player...De
Bruyne is vitalCOACH
Jurgen Klopp
The most charismatic
manager in the world
today. Klopp has not
only restored the
club’s standing in the
English football
hierarchy, but also
turned out to be the
spiritual son and heir
to Bill Shankly.
KEYMAN
Alisson
Klopp’s Liverpool
were still in search of
their first trophy when
the Brazilian arrived
in 2018. The cool and
authoritative Alisson
was the missing
piece of the jigsaw.
YOUNGSTER
TO WATCH
Neco Williams
Composed and
purposeful right-
back, shortlisted for
the 2020 Golden
Boy award.COACH
Pep Guardiola
With his insistence on
possession and high
pressing, Pep has
earned his place in
that select band of
coaching pioneers.
Success in three
different countries are
proof of his smarts
and adaptability.
KEYMAN
Kevin De Bruyne
Creative genius who
was voted the PFA
Player of the Year for- Registered no
fewerthan23assists
in all competitions
last term.
YOUNGSTER
TO WATCH
Ferran Torres
Exciting Spain winger,
whose summer move
was built on his fine
Champions League
displays for Valencia
in 2019-20.
New boy...Pass
master Thiago