How Man City should line up vs RB Leipzig in Champions League

Manchester City will have to replace Kevin De Bruyne and Aymeric Laporte after the pair were left at home for their Champions League last-16 first-leg tie at RB Leipzig.

Midfielder De Bruyne and defender Laporte were surprise absentees from the City squad who travelled to Germany yesterday, while John Stones is still out with a hamstring issue. Their unavailability means Pep Guardiola will make at least two changes at Leipzig, with Manuel Akanji and Nathan Ake likely players to come in.

Guardiola will be looking to establish a first-leg lead at the Red Bull Arena, especially after the frustrating draw at Nottingham Forest, which saw Riyad Mahrez dropped to the bench for the return of Phil Foden.

ALSO READ: Why Kevin De Bruyne and Aymeric Laporte are not in Man City squad vs RB Leipzig

Read how our writers think City should line up vs RB Leipzig below and use the interactive team selector to pick your best starting XI:

Joe Bray

With De Bruyne and Laporte out, the risk for playing Bernardo at left-back again will be too much, so I'd revert back to a back four with Nathan Ake on the left and Manu Akanji coming back into the centre. Nottingham Forest exploited Bernardo's lack of positional awareness, so Leipzig would surely do the same.

De Bruyne's absence is a blow, however when he's been dropped or out in recent weeks it's been Julian Alvarez who has replaced him as Guardiola looks to get more bodies into the box. Bernardo probably deserves a rest, and Ilkay Gundogan is in good form - as well as being slightly more defensive - so he should partner Rodri.

In attack, Phil Foden did well on his return at Forest, but Riyad Mahrez sat the game out so will be fresher, and Jack Grealish is undroppable at the moment.