Bruno Lage explains his team selection vs Manchester City

Bruno Lage has been interviewed by BT Sport ahead of Wolves’ clash with Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.

Lage has made just one change to his side to take on Pep Guardiola’s men, bringing in Joao Moutinho in midfield in place of Hwang Hee-Chan.

That means Wolves are likely to line up in a 3-5-2 formation to stop City while also posing a threat on the counter attack.

Lage was asked to explain his team selection ahead of the game.

“To play with confidence, that’s the thing. We know when we play against these teams, like we did last week against Liverpool, they will have the ball the (majority) of the time,” said Lage.

“I want my players to feel confidence when they have the ball. The way we played against Liverpool is the way we will play today.”

When asked for his thinking behind the tactical change, Lage said: “Liverpool, they hurry more to get to the goal but these guys are more patient.

“So we need to control more lines, more players, that’s why I choose one more midfielder and two strikers but the same ambition. (City) know what to do, the way they press, and start from the goalkeeper. It’s hard to press against this team and we also know they will give us some spaces and what I want is when we have the space and opportunity, we are going to play our game.”

Glenn Hoddle said pre-match that Traore can cause City problems if he is allowed to wander into space when Wolves are defending, ready to break.

It remains to be seen whether Wolves can get him into the right areas or have enough of the ball to pose a threat.

Traore has done it before, but that was under Nuno Espirito Santo and Lage will have his own ideas about how to beat City himself.

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