06 December 2021, 16:00 | 28 August 2021, 15:29
The UEFA Champions League Group A fixture, RB Leipzig vs. Manchester City, kicks off at 18:45 (GMT+1) on Tuesday, December 7, at the Red Bull Arena, Leipzig. Sandro Schärer (SUI) will be in charge while the assistant referees, Stephane De Almeida (SUI) and Bekim Zogaj (SUI), will lend a helping hand. Alain Bieri (SUI), the fourth official, will be in communication from the sidelines while Fedayi San (SUI) will take the role of the video assistant referee.
Preview RB Leipzig Champions League, Dec 7, 2021
Preview RB Leipzig have parted company with head coach Jesse Marsch following the club’s disappointing 2-1 defeat to Union Berlin on Friday. The decision to part ways with Jesse wasn’t easy for us because I very much appreciate Jesse as a person and a coach, CEO Oliver Mintzlaff said in an official club statement. It’s a shame that this setup hasn’t worked as hoped and that this step has become necessary, he added. Leipzig have endured their worst start to the season, which leaves them in 11th place after Matchday 14 in the German Bundesliga. Already eliminated from the star-studded arena of champions, the Red Bulls are aiming for a third-place finish to secure a spot in the UEFA Europa League. In third, Leipzig has 1W, 1D, and 3L. Having equal points with Brugge (4 points), Leipzig must match or better Club Brugge's result on UCL MD6 to earn a place in the Europa League. Christopher Nkunku’s 13th-minute leveler failed to inspire at the weekend and leaves Leipzig with back-to-back defeats, WLWLL, across all competitions. Marsch’s assistant Achim Beierlorzer will be at the helm for this fixture against Manchester City, and he could be sticking with the same formation from Friday’s game, the 3—4—2—1. Andre Silva is expected at the top of the design. Leipzig has a long list of injuries, which includes Yussuf Poulsen and Dani Olmo. Marcelo Saracchi is sidelined with an ACL injury until next year, and if booked, Simakan will miss the next match.
Preview Manchester City Champions League, Dec 7, 2021
Preview After the 3-1 Premier League victory over Watford, Manchester City returns to the UEFA Champions League unbeaten in five games, WWWWW. Bernardo Silva (31' & 63’), who has been in fine goal-scoring form, was on target, bagging a brace, spaced apart by the interval. Back on European soil, the Cityzens lead the group with 12 points from 4W, 0D, and 1L. With a qualification for the next round, and a first-place finish already in the bag, a few unfamiliar faces may find their way into Pep’s attacking 4—3—3 formation on Tuesday. Kevin De Bruyne returned as a second-half substitute on Saturday, making his first appearance since November 16, following an illness. The 30-year-old could be given a few Champions League minutes on Tuesday. The Cityzens have no new injury worries.