Leverkusen’s inconsistent season the team is 20 points behind Bayern Munich after 21 Bundesliga games has led to persistent speculation on the future of coach Roger Schmidt, now in his third season at the club.
Two victories have eased the pressure on Schmidt somewhat, while the emergence of 17—year—old Kai Havertz has also provided a welcome distraction.
Leverkusen’s youngest ever player in the Bundesliga, Havertz provided three assists in the last two games and displayed technical ability and maturity.
At the Etihad Stadium, City’s top priority will be to keep attacking midfielder Bernardo Silva quiet.
Diminutive in stature, but extremely quick, the skilful Silva also has an eye for goal, a lethally accurate shot from outside the penalty area and makes great runs into the box to score with his head.
Silva has already scored against PL opposition this season, when Monaco won 2-1 against Tottenham at the Wembley Stadium. “He’s our little phenomenon,” Monaco fullback Djibril Sidibe said.
City, in Pep Guardiola’s first season in charge, is equally unpredictable. Having established a four—point lead early in the season, it is now eight points behind Chelsea. City also experienced a setback in the FA Cup on Saturday, when it was held by Huddersfield, although Guardiola made eight changes for the game as he rested players.
