Manchester City could be without five players for Thursday’s Champions League opening fixture against Napoli at the Etihad Stadium.
Rayan Cherki (unspecified), Omar Marmoush (knee), Rayan Ait-Nouri (ankle) and Mateo Kovacic (Achilles) are all sidelined with injuries, while John Stones is nursing a minor muscle issue and will be assessed ahead of kickoff.
In-form goal machine Erling Haaland is expected to retain his place up front after scoring twice in Man City’s 3-0 derby win over rivals Manchester United in the Premier League last weekend.
The Norwegian has found the net 49 times in just 48 Champions League appearances and he is bidding to become the tenth player to reach the 50-goal mark in the competition; Ruud van Nistelrooy (62 games) is currently the fastest to reach that milestone.
Haaland could be joined in the final third by winger Jeremy Doku, who was a standout performer against Man United along with Phil Foden, who impressed and scored on his return to Pep Guardiola’s side last weekend.
Foden may be considered to start on the right flank, but Guardiola will likely choose either Savinho or Oscar Bobb to begin out wide, with his No.47 retaining his spot in an advanced midfield role in behind Haaland.
Seeking to build up his match fitness, Rodri could be handed another start in midfield and Nico Gonzalez may line up alongside him if Guardiola decides to give Dutch star Tijjani Reijnders - a summer signing from AC Milan - a rest having already started five games for club and country so far this season.
Abdukodir Khusanov impressed as a right-back against Man United, but Guardiola could recall either Rico Lewis or Matheus Nunes to the right side of his defence on Thursday, while Nathan Ake will push Nico O’Reilly for a start on the left.
Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol are both likely to continue at centre-back, while Italy international goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma is poised to keep his place between the sticks ahead of James Trafford following his reassuring debut in the Manchester derby.
Manchester City possible starting lineup: Donnarumma; Lewis, Dias, Gvardiol, Ake; Rodri, Gonzalez; Savinho, Foden, Doku; Haaland
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