While Manchester City are suddenly looking like the English club best placed to have an impact in this year’s Champions League, they know that their Round of 16 tie against AS Monaco will not be a cakewalk. Pep Guardiola has been talking up the French side in the build-up to the game, and rightly so.
Monaco have one of the most thrilling attacks in Europe, and indeed lead the continent in most league goals scored among Europe’s top five leagues.
Young attackers Thomas Lemar and Kylian Mbappe have thrived under Leonardo Jardim, and Radamel Falcao is having a resurgent season, but perhaps no player is more crucial to Monaco’s success than Portuguese starlet Bernardo Silva.
Silva joined Monaco from Benfica in 2014, initially on loan before the French club made the deal permanent, and he has gone from strength to strength in the principality. The 22-year-old has become one of Ligue 1’s premier attacking players.
Bernardo Silva: Only 3 players have created more chances from open play in Ligue 1 this season than @BernardoCSilva (35) pic.twitter.com/QovXa6cUfr
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) February 20, 2017
With his performances this season, it’s no surprise that Silva is one of the most highly coveted young players in Europe, with Manchester United, Manchester City, and Chelsea among a whole host of clubs reportedly vying for his signature.
City will get an up-close look at the young attacker over the two Champions League matches, and nobody will be surprised if Silva leaves a lasting impression.
Will Bernardo Silva help lead Monaco to an upset win over Manchester City?
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