A City win in Seville coupled with a Juventus win against Borussia Monchengladbach will see the Blues qualify for the knockout stages of the Champions League with two games to spare.
One man determined to help them on the way is Wilfried Bony, denied a goal when the two teams met at the Etihad Stadium just two weeks’ ago.
Although he’s happy as long as the team is winning, he admitted that he’s hoping to get his own name on the scoresheet as soon as possible.
“I’m getting a good run in the team now, it’s going OK,” Bony told the Manchester Evening News.
“It’s important for me to get goals but the more important thing is to win so if others are getting them that’s OK.”
He added: “I’m trying everything to score goals, but they did not go in for me on Saturday.
“I hope soon they will. It would be great to get one in the Champions League.
“I thought I had a goal in the last game against Seville but it looks like maybe not so perhaps I can get one in this game instead.
“I am here to score goals. I just want to do my job, do my best in training and score when get my chance in the match. A striker is happy when he scores, especially when the team wins.”
However, Sevilla boss Unai Emery is just as keen to ensure the Ivorian does not breach his defence.
The manager has spoken of the need to remain organised and defend strongly against a side he believes is likely to pose his own team plenty of problems.
He is quoted by ESPN as saying: ”This could be decisive in terms of what happens to us in the competition. If we want to get through to the next phase we have to be brave tomorrow and give our best.
“We need to play well, be solid. We know they are going to pose a great threat to us. They are a team that are very well drilled.
“We have to work hard, defend well and be very solid at the back. That is what is going to help us progress in this tournament and this season in general.”
Asked if he was worried about the attacking threat posed by the likes of Bony, Kevin De Bruyne and Raheem Sterling, Emery said: “We are concerned and we are focused but worried is perhaps too strong a word.
“We know what we have to do in terms of getting a result for ourselves. We are looking to drive forward, play with intensity and play quickly.
“We are a lot stronger defensively at home. So we need to make the most of that and we need to give them a feel of how difficult it is to come to our stadium and play against us.”
according to the Daily Express, at least!
Bruce Archer writes: “It was believed part of the decision not to join Chelsea was down to an agreement with Barcelona, who were under transfer embargo during the summer.
“Their transfer ban is lifted in January and the Catalan club remain favourites for his signature.
“Pogba’s agent, however, claims no deal is in place and says he could even stay in Turin another season.
“‘We said no to several teams, and continue to move forward, judging the moment,’ Raiola said.
“‘We can’t say that Pogba will leave after this season, he could stay another year at Juventus.
“‘We don’t have a pre-agreement with anyone.’”
Of course, this is all just paper talk and no deals are done until you read official confirmation on mcfc.co.uk!
See you in a few hours for the game, and don’t forget your lucky socks…
