Sky Blue News: Leipzig Preview, Pep Presser, KDB’s Future, and More…

UCL Matchday headlines from Bitter and Blue.

Manchester Metropolis are set to host RB Leipzig within the second leg of their UEFA Champions League Spherical of 16 tie. After having drawn 1-1 in Germany final month, the Manc Blues can be in search of a lift from the Etihad crowd to see them by way of to the Quarterfinals. Sky Blue News has all the newest to get you prepared for an enormous matchday forward.

EVERY GAME IS A FINAL: GUNDOGAN’S PRE-LEIPZIG MESSAGE – George Kelsey – ManCity.com

Certainly, as the ultimate furlongs of the marketing campaign method, Metropolis discover ourselves within the midst of an exhilarating Premier League title race with Arsenal, whereas an FA Cup quarter-final with Burnley additionally beckons.

Nevertheless, we should first get the higher of Die Roten Bullen, with the present combination rating at 1-1 forward of the second leg.

And for Gundogan, every of Metropolis’s encounters might show vital in our general success throughout 2022/23, whatever the competitors or opponent.

SHOP THE ILKAY GUNDOGAN RANGE

“At this point [of the season] not many anymore to be honest,” the midfielder defined when requested for the variations in method between league and cup fixtures.

“It might be totally different initially of the season whenever you’ve performed much less video games [but] now, particularly within the league I feel each recreation seems like a knockout recreation, like a remaining.

“That’s the identical now for the rest of the FA Cup and the Champions League.

“Every game is going to be like a final and that’s how we have to play those types of games as well.”

Manchester Metropolis v RB Leipzig Leg 2: Preview, Crew News and Prediction – Saul Garcia – Bitter and Blue

Metropolis are contemporary off a pleasant win vs Crystal Palace in London, in the meantime RBL come off a 3-0 thrashing over Gladbach.

This has all of the makings of a enjoyable match because the groups can be excessive octane and flying right here. Anticipate the midfield to dictate the match and Metropolis’s ought to be up for that problem.

It ought to be a tense and excessive actioned affair. The types each golf equipment play might make for a very enjoyable match.

It ought to be a tense match.

Pep Guardiola names one factor Kevin De Bruyne should do ‘better’ to enhance Man Metropolis kind – Michael Plant – Manchester World

Guardiola has questioned De Bruyne’s kind a number of occasions this season and in October claimed he can ‘be better’. The 31-year-old has additionally began three of the final seven Premier League video games on the bench, together with his standing as an undroppable star now not intact.

And talking forward of Tuesday’s Champions League conflict towards RB Leipzig, Guardiola was requested about De Bruyne’s requirements this season. “It’s been a difficult season I would say for all of us, me included, for the World Cup and many things,” he responded.

“So I’d say the identical, I’m not going to find Kevin. Kevin has a capability to do it. What I’d like is to go to the straightforward ideas and do it properly. He has an unimaginable skill to make an help, to attain targets and see passes like anybody else.

“However I at all times consider they may enhance and can get higher when the straightforward issues, like don’t lose the ball, the mobility, the unimaginable capability to be lively within the motion, the straightforward issues, do it once more higher and higher. When that is going to occur, the remaining will come alongside.

“I’d not wish to have the sensation that… it’s like Erling [Haaland] I don’t need him to only rating targets and the remaining I don’t care. So he’ll rating and he can be concerned within the recreation, in our recreation to be concerned it implies that you run within the sport, the ball is coming and you’ll put within the web.

“With Kevin it’s the same. When the simple things are done perfectly, we are in the right moment, move outside and inside when we have to attack the channels or whatever you do or feel in that moment, the actions to create incredible passes that only he can find, will be easier, it will be better.”

“Tomorrow we’re going to suffer” – Pep Guardiola and Kevin De Bruyne pre RB Leipzig Press Convention – Colin Cranmer – Metropolis Report

Pep Guardiola and Kevin De Bruyne spoke to the press forward of Manchester Metropolis’s Champions League final 16 second leg on the Etihad Stadium towards RB Leipzig on Tuesday evening. The pair mentioned Metropolis’s present kind, the opposition risk, and the membership’s want to win the competitors.

PL illustration within the UCL:

“Chelsea went through. We see what happens with Liverpool. I’m not thinking about the pressure of defending the UK. Every team in the past goes 2, 3, 4 teams in the quarter finals from same country, everyone says it’s the best league. This league is good, like Spain, Germany, Italy. This competition, like FA Cup, one game, two games, many things are involved. Things you can’t control, I’m not a fan to make theories that – the result depends who you are.”

Is the UCL particular?

“Absolutely, is a lovely competition, it is so nice! Playing the teams from another part of Europe. The same teams, stadiums in England. So nice to be there in Europe, show our club all around Europe. I like it!”

“Something to think about” – Kevin De Bruyne not sure on how the rest of Manchester Metropolis profession might plan out – Harry Winters – Metropolis Xtra

Manchester Metropolis midfielder Kevin De Bruyne is not sure how the rest of his profession might plan out, because the Belgian worldwide seeks to win extra silverware throughout his eighth marketing campaign on the Etihad Stadium.

De Bruyne, who joined Manchester Metropolis from Wolfsburg in 2015, has helped the Blues to 11 trophies, together with 4 Premier League titles throughout his time on the membership thus far.

The midfielder has registered 98 assists and scored 61 Premier League targets in 235 league appearances, whereas additionally serving to the Blues attain the UEFA Champions League semi-finals on three events and a maiden remaining in 2021.

The 31 year-old has made 34 appearances for Metropolis thus far this season and regardless of some questions marks surrounding his latest kind, the Belgian midfielder is as motivated as ever to proceed to play on the highest degree.

“I’m a perfectionist. Whatever I do in football, normal life. I want to be 100%,” stated De Bruyne.

“If I think about it [the future] right now, I want to stay as high as possible for as long as possible. It’s not only my decision. Something to think about”

De Bruyne, who turns 32 in June, additionally mentioned whether or not his age might result in an eventual positional change, as he as soon as once more joked about being an “old man” inside the recreation.

“I’m an outdated man on this recreation, I’m not an outdated man. I’m fairly younger. I understand how it really works, when individuals discuss you, you discover this stuff much more.

‘Perfectionist’ Kevin De Bruyne gives replace on long-term Man Metropolis future – Joe Bray – Manchester Night News

De Bruyne is underneath contract at Metropolis till 2025, which is able to convey his keep on the Etihad to 10 years. The 31-year-old has come underneath the highlight for a dip in his ordinary excessive requirements of late, however he has since come out preventing to insist he has lots extra to offer on the high degree of soccer.

Increasing on his ‘old man’ feedback, De Bruyne admitted he doesn’t have a plan for when he’ll take into consideration retirement.

“I know how it is. When you’re 18, 19 you notice these things a lot more and you know where it comes from,” he stated. “When individuals discuss kind and the way individuals play, it’s give and take. I understand how to handle that. I don’t understand how lengthy I’m going to play. So long as I’m having enjoyable I’ll play soccer. Clearly there can be a day the place it should finish however I’m not in a position to consider that but.

And at last… Man Metropolis wish to equal a little bit of European historical past with a victory towards Leipzig.

Manchester Metropolis seeking to equal Arsenal’s unbeaten residence file in Champions League – Oliver Thomas – Sports activities Mole

The Residents had been pressured to accept a 1-1 draw within the first leg in Germany three weeks in the past, with Riyad Mahrez’s first-half strike cancelled out by a second-half header from reported Metropolis switch goal Josko Gvardiol.

However, Pep Guardiola’s males will fancy their probabilities of reserving their place within the quarter-finals of the Champions League for the sixth successive season after they welcome Leipzig to the blue facet of Manchester for the second time in as a few years.

Certainly, the Residents secured an exhilarating 6-3 residence conquer Die Roten Bullen within the group stage of final season’s Champions League on their solution to qualifying for the knockout rounds.

Man Metropolis boast a exceptional unbeaten residence file in Europe’s premier membership competitors, profitable 21 and drawing two of their final 23 matches on the Etihad courting again to November 2018.

Guardiola’s facet have scored a complete of 71 targets throughout this run, netting at the least twice on 20 events, whereas they’ve solely conceded 19 occasions and have saved 10 clear sheets within the course of.

Ought to the Residents keep away from defeat towards Leipzig on Tuesday, they may equal Arsenal’s file for the longest unbeaten residence run by an English membership in Champions League historical past.

The Gunners, who haven’t competed within the Champions League for the final seven years, put collectively a 24-game unbeaten residence run between September 2004 and April 2009, throughout a interval after they swapped Highbury for the Emirates Stadium.

There you may have it. All set for a vital conflict with RB Leipzig. Stick with Bitter and Blue all through the day for all of the buildup and observe @BitterandBlue1 on Twitter to maintain up with all of the response. Come again tomorrow for the newest from Sky Blue News.

Supply – bitterandblue.sbnation.com