Manchester City of England will take on Hoffenheim of Germany in match-day 2 of this season’s UEFA Champions League tonight. Both clubs have never met before.
However, since Pep Guardiola became the manager of Manchester City, they have never lost to a German side. Ironically, the Citizens suffered their last defeat to a German side in September, 2014 when they lost by a lone goal to Pep Guardiola’s Bayern Munich.
Manchester City lost their first match to Lyon while Hoffenheim drew 2-2 with Shakhtar Donetsk.
City have already set the record of the first English side to lose four consecutive champions league matches. They must ensure that they do not extend the record to five defeats in a row.
Meanwhile, Hoffenheim coach, Julian Nagelsmann, who is the youngest coach in the history of the UEFA Champions League at 31, is excited to face experienced Pep Goardiola. He told the BBC, “I don’t know if it it’s always an advantage to know Pep Guardiola, because then you know that he is doing so much the right way or the best way, it’s not very easy to say exactly how he will set his team. He has different ways to play against different opponents. You can see a lot of similarities in his style, but also see a lot of differences.”
In other matches tonight, Manchester United will welcome Valencia of Spain, who lost their opening match 0-2 to Juventus. Mourinho has said that some of his players are committed than others. His words came in the heels of Carabao Cup loss to Championship side, Derby County and a 3-1 English Premier League defeat to West Ham United.
Unfortunately, Ashley Young, Ander Herrera and Jesse Lingard are out with injuries.
Juventus will host Young Boys of Switzerland without Cristiano Ronaldo, who is serving a one match ban after he was red carded in their opening match against Valencia.
CSKA Moscow will have their hands full when defending champions, Real Madrid visit the Russian capital for their encounter tonight.
AEK Athens will host Benfica of Portugal as Bayern Munich welcomes Ajax Amsterdam of the Netherlands.
