Manchester City face a crucial Champions League fixture tonight against Juventus. It almost looms as a must-win game for Pep Guardiola’s side if they want to finish in the top 8 of the league phase table. Ahead of tonight’s match Pep Guardiola has [urged his team](https://www.mancity.com/citytv/mens/juventus-v-city-pep-guardiola-and-ruben-dias-press-conference-63869444) to play to their strengths. To do that it may be the ideal game to test Jack Grealish out in a midfield role.
Grealish showed during City’s 3-nil win over Nottingham Forest last week that he can [play the role](https://esteemedkompany.com/2024/12/05/all-of-a-sudden-manchester-city-and-pep-guardiola-have-found-another-midfielder/). The England international put in a stellar performance against Forest at the Etihad. He showed that the strengths of his game that were evident on the wing translated to a midfield role. But that is no surprise based on the strengths of Grealish’s game. Tonight’s match is a massive fixture for the world champions and may be the ideal setting to test out Grealish in City’s engine room.
Juventus are a quality outfit. Thiago Motta’s side have a strong midfield that is packed full of quality. You could almost go as far as to say which team wins the midfield battle will likely go on to win tonight’s match. Manchester City will be desperate to gain control of the midfield. To do that Jack Grealish could have a vital role to play.
Grealish adds an element of control to City’s play that has been missing in his absence. Against Nottingham Forest and playing alongside Ilkay Gundogan and Kevin De Bruyne that attribute stood out in his play. Having Grealish alongside De Bruyne and Gundogan brought out the best in both players. If he starts in midfield tonight the hope is he can add that element to Manchester City’s play. Pep Guardiola has called for it to return. Jack Grealish may be the player to provide it against Juventus.
A tough test awaits a depleted Manchester City side tonight. But they are almost at a must-win juncture in their Champions League league phase campaign. The world champions must return to what they know best to get back on track. If Jack Grealish starts in midfield tonight he may be the player to help his team get back on track in midfield.