Manchester City will have more than just revenge on their minds against Chelsea on Saturday, with Pep Guardiola’s men at risk of leaving themselves with a mountain to climb in the Premier League title race.
A frustrating 0-0 draw at home to Southampton last week lent weight to the argument that they lack the predatory striker needed to keep pace with a stronger batch of title contenders than they faced last season.
Guardiola’s champions are just three points behind Chelsea, Manchester United and Liverpool after five games of the season.
But that gap could easily grow over the course of a demanding week that ends with a trip to face Liverpool at Anfield after a midweek date against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League.
Thomas Tuchel denied Guardiola the crowning achievement of his time at City by coming out on top in the tactical battle as the Blues won the Champions League final in May.
Victory in Porto completed a hat-trick of wins for Chelsea over City towards the end of last season that set the foundations for a tilt at the Premier League for the Stamford Bridge side.
Another victory this weekend would mean Tuchel would become the first manager to ever beat Guardiola in four consecutive games.—AP
