Up next for Manchester City is tonight’s UEFA Champions League Round of 16 second-leg tie against FC Copenhagen. The European champions will take a 3-1 aggregate lead into tonight’s match at the Etihad Stadium after their 3-1 victory over FC Copenhagen at the Parken Stadium in the first leg. Here is a look at how Pep Guardiola’s squad is shaping up for tonight’s crucial match and a predicted City starting eleven for tonight’s crucial match.
Manchester City injury news
There appear to be several injury concerns for Pep Guardiola ahead of tonight’s game. Jack Grealish will miss tonight’s match with a groin injury he sustained against Luton Town. Guardiola confirmed pre-game that Grealish is out of tonight’s game and his return date remains unknown.
PEP 💬 (Jack Grealish injury update) Tomorrow he is not ready. I don’t know [when he will be]. pic.twitter.com/OqNSfAjREC
— Manchester City (@ManCity) March 5, 2024
Phil Foden and Jeremy Doku also appear in doubt for tonight’s game. Simon Bajkowski of Manchester Evening News reported bus his official X account that neither Doku nor Foden trained yesterday ahead of tonight’s match. Based on that report it would appear that neither player will feature tonight. Phil Foden suffered a dead leg late in Manchester City’s 3-1 win over Manchester United and Jeremy Doku’s condition is unknown at this stage.
No sign of Jeremy Doku (or Grealish) https://t.co/QWWxXVXwNE
— Simon Bajkowski (@spbajko) March 5, 2024
Predicted City starting eleven
Ederson: With it being another important game it would be expected that Ederson will be given the nod in goal tonight. He has been in outstanding form of late and should start tonight.
Kyle Walker: City’s captain should continue at right-back, especially given the threat of FC Copenhagen on the counter. His pace may be required to counter the threat of Jacob Neestrup’s side.
Manuel Akanji: With Liverpool on the horizon it could see a shuffle of City’s defence. Akanji has been in outstanding form recently and will do a job if he is named to start.
Nathan Ake: With Josko Gvardiol back training it could see Ake move centrally to cater for the Croatians’ return. Ake has been outstanding at left-back but does his best work centrally.
Josko Gvardiol: After returning from an ankle ligament injury Gvardiol could resume his role at left-back tonight. He has been missed and will have a crucial role to play this season.
Rodri: Rodri is an automatic selection. City’s midfield general should take his place in the heart of Pep Guardiola’s midfield tonight.
Mateo Kovacic: With a short turnaround between games Kovacic should resume in midfield tonight. He can be relied upon to do a job and should start tonight.
Bernardo Silva: It could be a toss-up between Bernardo and Oscar Bobb for a spot on the right wing tonight. Given what’s at stake Bernardo may be preferred given his experience and how vital he is to the City setup.
Julian Alvarez: Provided Manchester City with a boost off the bench in Sunday’s derby. He set up Phil Foden’s winner and looks primed for a start tonight.
Matheus Nunes: With Doku and Foden in doubt Matheus Nunes could play on the left wing. He has shown recently he is capable and tonight’s game could be the ideal setting for Nunes to have an impact.
Erling Haaland: City’s number 9 should take his place up front tonight. He has scored 6 goals in his last two appearances as he continues to return to his best.
