At 2:45 p.m. ET Manchester City will face off against a Group D doormat, Viktoria Plzen, which has failed to a win or even a draw in UEFA Champions League play this year, in a match that can be live streamed here.
On paper this matchup appears tailor-made for Man City to stomp through for an easy victory, but there is controversy enveloping Manuel Pellegrini's side right now involving goalkeeper Joe Hart. Rumors have swirled that Hart will be leaving Man City in January when the midseason transfer window opens.
"There is a lot of news about six or seven goalkeepers that we want to buy but it is not true," Pellegrini said in an attempt to quell the loud talk. "Of course he stays. There is no chance that Joe Hart could go out of this squad in January."
Despite Pellegrini's strong support, Hart hasn't played since October 27th, when he was benched for poor play. That will change today as Pellegrini has promised the veteran he'll be in net today. His replacement, Costel Pantilimon, has been stellar in Hart's place though so there may be a brewing controversy going forward.
"I think that is a question for next Saturday," Pellegrini said when asked if Pantilimon will be back in the saddle against Swansea City on Saturday, "When we start the next game of the Premier League we will talk about who will start playing. The important thing for Joe is that he will play tomorrow and we hope he will have a very good performance."
Manchester City is assured of advancing to the next stage, but they have a mathematical opportunity to unseat Bayern Munich from the group's top spot. Pellegrini has not made winning the group a necessity, but admitted they're gunning for it.
"I think it is very important to win the group. It is not the most important thing, the most important thing is to qualify, but I think it is important to be at the top."
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