Ederson starts as City make four changes for Milan clash

The Brazilian was a half-time substitute during the first friendly of our USA Tour, as City were beaten 4-3 by Celtic in North Carolina.

But Guardiola has given the stopper the nod in his starting XI as we prepare to face AC Milan, with Stefan Ortega Moreno on the bench.

There are a further three changes to City’s lineup, with Mahamadou Susoho, Callum Doyle and Maximo Perrone coming in for Luke Mbete, Josh Wilson-Esbrand and Kalvin Phillips.

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT CITY’S USA TOUR

Teams

City XI: Ederson (C), Susoho, Simpson Pusey, Doyle, Lewis, Perrone, O’Reilly, McAtee, Bobb, Grealish Haaland.

Subs: Ortega Moreno, Carson, Phillips, Kovacic, Gvardiol, Wright, Katongo, Ndala, Galvez, Oboavwoduo, Mbete, Heskey, Fatah, Mfuni, Hamilton, Samuel, Knight, Wilson-Esbrand

AC Milan XI: Torriani, Calabria (C), Tomori, Gabbia, Terracciano, Florenzi, Bennacer, Chukwueze, Loftus-Cheek, Saelemaekers, Colombo.

Tactics

Ederson‘s goal will be shielded by centre halves Jahmai Simpson Pusey and Callum Doyle, with Mahamadou Susoho expected to start at right back and Rico Lewis on the left.

As always though with this City team, expect our full backs to move into midfield areas when we have the ball, supporting Maximo Perrone who is expected to start at the base of the midfield three.

Youngsters James McAtee and Nico O’Reilly will be given licence to get forward and join the attack, which is unchanged from our win over Celtic.

Oscar Bobb is set to start on the right, Jack Grealish on the left and Erling Haaland through the middle.

Between the sticks

This will be Ederson‘s first start since he was forced off early on against Tottenham Hotspur in our Premier League back in May.

The Brazilian suffered a small fracture to his eye socket, ruling him out for the final two matches of the campaign and this summer’s Copa America.

However, the stopper has been given a chance from the start this afternoon, and will be keen to reinforce his status as one of the finest goalkeepers in world football.

With a talented but young backline in front of him, Ederson‘s experience could prove vital for City.

Bobb’s brilliance

The Norwegian was City’s standout player against Celtic, having a hand in all three of our goals in North Carolina.

Having grabbed our first goal at the Kenan Memorial Stadium, the winger was the architect for Perrone’s effort early in the second half, cleverly working space down the right before cutting back into the Argentine’s path.

And City’s third, courtesy of a powerful Haaland header, was instigated by another inviting ball to the far post by the 21-year-old.

He took centre stage against the Scottish champions, and Bobb will be keen to repeat the trick this evening against AC Milan, as he continues to stake a claim for a regular starting berth.