The Croatian side managed a fine 4-0 over Atalanta on Matchday One to put themselves in a strong position going into tonight’s match at the Etihad.
The press have been poring over that one – and there’s an interview with Joe Hart in which he discusses his favourite City players.
Match Previews
Manchester Evening News: How Manchester City should line up against Dinamo Zagreb in Champions League
Stuart Brennan writes: “It looks like Kevin De Bruyne may not be available, after missing training on Tuesday, but City know they can cope without him after the experiences of last season.
“Ilkay Gundogan loves Champions League nights, and he is a natural fit, even though not as dynamic as the Belgian. Playing him alongside Bernardo Silva makes sense, with David Silva starting to wind down.
“Riyad Mahrez has to play after his tour de force at Everton, while Raheem Sterling is the perfect fit.
“Now is also the time to bring back Benjamin Mendy, to add a little more pace to a defence susceptible to counter-attacking.
The Express: Predicted 4-3-3 line up vs Dinamo Zagreb – Five changes as Pep rotates
Ben Pringle writes: “More changes are expected against Zagreb with full-backs Joao Cancelo and Benjamin Mendy hoping to earn rare starts at the expense of Kyle Walker and Oleksandr Zinchenko.
“Guardiola has little choice at centre-back with John Stones and Aymeric Laporte both sidelined, meaning Nicolas Otamendi and Fernandinho will continue to deputise.
“However, the City manager has a host of options in central midfield so David Silva is expected to return to the starting XI in place of Ilkay Gundogan.
“Rodri and Kevin de Bruyne are likely to keep their places but Phil Foden offers an alternative while Bernardo, who was a substitute at the weekend, can operate in a deep role.
“Predicted XI
“(4-3-3): Ederson; Cancelo, Otamendi, Fernandinho, Mendy; Rodri, De Bruyne, D. Silva; Mahrez, B. Silva, Aguero.”
Interviews
Kickback Podcast: Putting on the gloves with Joe Hart
Joe Hart says: “The wizard [David Silva] came over, I had no idea who he was.
“£25million, tiny, slow, only left footed and didn’t even know his position.
“He seemed like a lovely guy, didn’t really speak much English. He didn’t take over straight away but his consistency and quality were through the roof.
“[He was] just an all-round amazing player - there isn’t one negative to him, other than he’s small.
“Aguero is relentless.
“When I talk to my goalkeeper friends and we talk about putting pressure on strikers, he doesn’t just just put his head down and hit it.
“He feels and senses every situation. If you go down early, he flicks it over you. If you stand up, he puts it past you.
“I don’t think he knows he’s doing it, that’s just him - it’s his instinct.
“He’s the man that makes the difference.”
Sport360: Interview - La Masia product Eric Garcia on Man City debut and learning from a Barcelona legend
Eric Garcia says: “My family supports Barcelona, I was with them, so they were my team when I was young.
“But you need to make decisions in your life. To leave my family there and come to play here with City was the best decision I could make.
“Of course there’s the pressure of what’s going to happen when you go, coming to a new country, a new language and everything with this. But I wanted to do this. I have confidence and belief.
“At the end, the key is to be calm and then the opportunities will arrive.
“I’m very young and I know I need to work hard, but maybe one day I could be there in the [City] first team and helping them win trophies. We will see. I hope I get my chance, but it’s the manager who decides, so we will see.”
That’s all for this morning’s Media Watch – but stay with us throughout the day here on mancity.com as we bring you full coverage of tonight’s big game.
