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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Nathan Bliss

Man City vs Atalanta simulated in FIFA 20 ahead of Champions League fixture

Fresh from their 2-0 win against Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Saturday, Manchester City are in back in action on Tuesday night as they host Atalanta in the Champions League.

Pep Guardiola's injury list has reduced in size recently, with John Stones and Benjamin Mendy returning to first-team action over the weekend and Nicolas Otamendi and Kyle Walker resuming training on Monday following injury and illness respectively, which means Leroy Sane and Aymeric Laporte are City's only definite absentees against Atalanta.

So, what line-up will Guardiola go for against the Italian side? And what will the final score be at the Etihad?

We used FIFA 20 to predict the outcome of this midweek meeting.

Man City vs Atalanta score predicted using FIFA 20

To set up this simulation, we used kick-off mode within FIFA 20 but didn't select a team to control; we then selected the teams and watched the match play out by itself, to give us a unique prediction.

The AI difficulty was set to world class, with the line-up updated with the latest transfers, injuries and suspensions, to make the simulation as realistic as possible.

We predict that Man City will set up in a 4-3-3 formation, with their line-up as follows: Ederson; Cancelo, Stones, Fernandinho, Mendy; Rodri, D Silva, B Silva; Mahrez, Aguero, Sterling.

(EA SPORTS FIFA)

Get all the latest FIFA, Football Manager and other gaming news here.

We predict that Atalanta will set up in a 3-4-2-1 formation, with their lineup as follows: Gollini; Masiello, Djimsiti, Toloi; Gosens, Freuler, De Roon, Hateboer; Ilicic, Gomez; Muriel.

(EA SPORTS FIFA)

As many expected, including Pep Guardiola himself, Atalanta showed no fear in the opening stages, as they sought to turn the game into an end-to-end battle.

The Italian side had the first real chance of the game in the 18th minute, with Slovenian midfielder Josip Ilicic finding some space in the area and forcing Ederson into a good save at his near post.

(EA SPORTS FIFA)

But, midway through the first half, City did manage to settle into their rhythm, keeping possession and controlling the game, although Atalanta remained a threat on the counter.

Guardiola's side peppered the away side's goal, before finally making a breakthrough three minutes before half-time.

Sergio Aguero got hold of the ball on the right hand side of the penalty area, before powering towards the byline and delivering a low cross to the back post, where David Silva was waiting to tap the ball home.

(EA SPORTS FIFA)
(EA SPORTS FIFA)

In the second half, City carried on where they left off and eventually doubled their lead in the 70th chief.

A brilliant pass from substitute Kevin De Bruyne found Aguero racing clear of the Atalanta defence, but unselfishly, the Argentine squared the ball to Raheem Sterling, who had an easy finish.

(EA SPORTS FIFA)

Rather than kill the game off, this goal meant Atalanta could now go all out and play with no fear, and they suddenly changed their entire game plan, with City now on the back foot.

And they got their reward in the 77th minute, halving the deficit through substitute Ruslan Malinovskyi, who fired past Ederson at the near post.

(EA SPORTS FIFA)

A nervy five minutes followed, with the Italian side pushing for an equaliser, unsettling City and the home support.

But in the 85th minute Riyad Mahrez killed the game off as he sidefooted home at the far post from a cross by Sterling.

(EA SPORTS FIFA)

Full-time score: Man City 3-1 Atalanta

Here are the full time stats.

(EA SPORTS FIFA)

Possession was evenly matched, but City were the better passing side and had more shots on goal than the away side.

Riyad Mahrez's performance was excellent on the night, as his goal secured City's win.

(EA SPORTS FIFA)

But, Aguero was named as Man of the Match, providing two assists in the 3-1 win.

(EA SPORTS FIFA)

This FIFA 20 simulation predicts that City will beat Atalanta tonight, but the game will be far from straightforward, with the Serie A side showing real intent throughout the game.

What do you think the score will be?

   
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