Manchester City expert Steven McInerney from Esteemed Kompany believes that Wednesday's Champions League clash with Sparta Prague at the Etihad Stadium could be a "perfect game" for Nathan Ake to make his return to Pep Guardiola's side.
The left-sided defender was sidelined for seven games in all competitions with a muscle injury before watching on as an unused substitute in City's 2-1 victory at Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League on Sunday.
Guardiola has suggested that Ake, who was not deemed ready to start against Wolves but has returned to training, could feature in some capacity against Sparta Prague, telling reporters on Tuesday: "Josko [Gvardiol] cannot play all the games, every three days, that's why we need Nathan [Ake]! Otherwise we cannot compete until the end..."
McInerney has named Ake as one of a number of Citizens stars, along with Matheus Nunes and James McAtee, who could be called upon by Guardiola, who may look to rotate his team - as he did in a 4-0 win at Slovan Bratislava three weeks ago - amidst the club's busy fixture schedule in multiple competitions.
Speaking to Sports Mole, McInerney said: "I think Guardiola will use this as a chance to once again try a few things. Nunes had a really nice cameo against Wolves where he showed a bit that City are lacking pace.
"There was a challenge late on which some people thought was a foul and could have been, but either way it was Nunes getting back to win the ball; even making the foul would have been better than the alternative, and I think he'll be desperate for some involvement.
"I suspect Guardiola will make a lot of changes. Bearing in mind [the absences of Kyle Walker and Kevin De Bruyne]... there are still a whole bunch of players that I expect will start who didn't.
Could Ake make timely return for Man City against Sparta Prague?
"[Jack] Grealish had a really nice cameo (against Wolves), [Phil] Foden didn't start, Ake is back in the squad now and it feels like a perfect game for Ake to come in, so you would think Grealish, Nunes, Foden, Ake will immediately get a start.
"[Manuel] Akanji was on the bench (against Wolves), maybe James McAtee might get a bit of a run out; he got his first goal for City in a senior game against Slovan Bratislava and had a really good international break as well for England Under-21s, one of their best players, so I wouldn't be surprised if these players get a start."
McInerney added: "I think we'll see a different midfield, it'll be a different approach. I think the [Erling] Haaland's almost certainly going to start. Don't be surprised if John Stones gets a start again because he's playing his way back into fitness, and maybe [Josko] Gvardiol will actually sit this one out because he's played a lot of football and Ake needs to return.
"It's so unnecessary [for City to play their strongest team] because City play on Wednesday and then on Saturday against Southampton. We're going to have to rotate a little bit."
McInerney has drawn attention to Man City's "severe issues", particularly in midfield, that were evident in Sunday's last-gasp win at Wolves and feels that Guardiola is still searching for an optimal set-up to cope without the presence of injured star Rodri.
"I think Guardiola will use [Wednesday's match with Sparta] as a chance once again [ro try a few things] because nothing's set right now for City," said McInerney.
"There are so many variables moving around and Guardiola is still very much scratching around for a solution. I don't think there is going to be a solution. I think there's just going to be an alternative way of playing that works, probably not as good but still it'll work without Rodri in some way, hopefully."
© Imago
Will free-scoring Sparta take advantage of Man City's leaky backline?
Man City will be regarded as strong favourites on Wednesday, but Sparta Prague - who have picked up the same number of points (four) as the Citizens after two UCL games - cannot be taken lightly and will back themselves to at least score at the Etihad having already found the net in all 19 competitive games so far this season. City, meanwhile, have kept just three clean sheets in their opening 12 matches this term.
"Sparta Prague will score almost certainly... anyone scores against City these days because our defence is so open," said McInerney. "I do think we're probably going to be exposed... City are just so open and there's so many changes at the moment that teams do get a big chance, and for whatever reason they usually take it.
"I think the way City play right now is reasonably predictable, but it's not unstoppable. I think it forces teams to play in a certain way. I think playing against City these days it's hard, obviously, but there's a relative comfort to it where I don't think [opposition teams] have to think outside the box.
"I think when you play City these days, you know what you have to do. There's not much to guess about the City side. Usually that was the case but City were much better. When City are at their very best with all the players fit, you can't really do much about it."
McInerney continued: "I expect City will win. It's at the Etihad Stadium and I don't think Sparta Prague are looking at the City game as where they're going get their points for the massive table.
"I think they're going to sit back and I've looked a little bit at how they play and they do tend to play three at the back, which obviously will be five at the back against Man City and they'll park the Czech bus. I don't blame them for doing that whatsoever.
"Right now, there are chinks in the armour (at City), so I suspect Sparta Prague will get their chance, but I still feel like City will probably win comfortably."
Wednesday's contest will represent the first-ever European meeting between Man City and Sparta Prague; the Citizens have only previously faced one Czech-based opponent, beating Viktoria Plzen 3-0 away and 4-2 at home in the 2013-14 UCL group stage, while Sparta have won only four of their previous 22 meetings with English clubs, most recently losing 11-2 on aggregate to Liverpool in last season's Europa League last 16.
Oliver Thomas
