Savinho is eager to play against Real Madrid but will he start at the Etihad? | OneFootball

Tonight, Manchester City take on Real Madrid in a match that is filled with players who could potentially be match-winners. A look at both teams shows that there are players on both sides who can turn a game in a moment. One of those is Savinho. The Brazilian international has spoken of his desire to play against Real Madrid for Manchester City in the Champions League. But will he start tonight at the Etihad in the first leg of the knockout phase play-off first leg? That does seem to depend on how attacking Pep Guardiola wants to be at the Etihad.

Speaking with mancity.com, Savinho has said that playing against Real Madrid for Manchester City is a dream come true. The Brazilian international has dreamed of playing against the European champions. He said: “As I mentioned to my family, I’ll be fulfilling a dream. I always watched Manchester City vs Real Madrid on the TV back when I was playing for Atletico Mineiro, and now, I get to be here living this moment.”

Will Savinho start, or will he be used as an impact substitute by Pep Guardiola tonight?

It remains to be seen if Savinho will start against Real Madrid tonight. There is a case for him to start. But it will depend on how Pep Guardiola approaches tonight’s match tactically. If Manchester City decide to go all out tonight, Savinho may be the ideal player to get at their makeshift defence. His ability to beat a man and provide quality service could test Real Madrid’s makeshift defence. You couple Savinho with Erling Haaland, Omar Marmoush and or Phil Foden and City could get at the La Liga giants. But it doesn’t seem like Pep Guardiola will line up that way based on his comments yesterday.

Speaking during his pre-game press conference yesterday, Pep Guardiola said that his team needs to play smart in tonight’s first leg at the Etihad. Speaking about tonight’s match, he said: “We have to try to impose our game. We have to be smart, especially in the first leg. It’s important to read the tempo [of the game] in order to get a result to take to the Bernabeu.”

It may depend on how Pep Guardiola decides to approach tonight’s match tactically as to whether or not Savinho starts. But whether or not if he starts or comes off the bench he can be a player who can make an impact against Real Madrid. It just appears to be a matter of when that opportunity will come for the Brazilian international.