Manchester City have made sweeping changes to their starting XI for tonight’s Champions League clash with RB Leipzig, with Kevin De Bruyne in to start.
Pep Guardiola had already confirmed the Belgian’s return to the line-up following a steady comeback from Covid-19.
The City boss said: “Kevin was growing in his physical condition and then he had the setback. People who have suffered coronavirus, afterwards they feel empty.
“Step by step he will play the minutes. He will start.”
Gabriel Jesus will miss the game after suffering a knock in the win at Watford while Ferran Torres (foot) and Benjamin Mendy (police charge) are out.
Academy starlets Cole Palmer, James McAtee, Josh Wilson-Esbrand, CJ Egan-Riley and Romeo Lavia travelled to Germany, with City assured of top spot in Group A regardless of the result.
Guardiola added: “For them it's an incredible experience in Europe see how opponents behave, maybe tomorrow some can play minutes. We have five substitutions and maybe we can use them.”
Man City XI: Steffen; Walker, Stones, Ake, Zinchenko; Fernandinho, Gundogan, De Bruyne; Mahrez, Foden, Grealish.
Subs: Ederson, Carson, Dias, Sterling, Egan-Riley, Palmer, McAtee, Lavia, Wilson-Esbrand.
