Manchester City take on Newcastle United in just under half an hour’s time at St. James’ Park. Tonight’s match is the first leg of the two-legged Carabao Cup semi-final tie between the two teams. Ahead of kickoff, eyebrows were raised when Manchester City’s ever-reliable midfielder Nico wasn’t included in City’s matchday squad for tonight’s match. Pep Guardiola has revealed why Nico is missing from tonight’s match in his pre-kickoff media address.
Nico suffered a heavy knock in Manchester City’s 1-all draw with Brighton.
Speaking ahead of tonight’s match, Pep Guardiola revealed why Nico won’t feature in tonight’s Carabao Cup semi-final first leg tie. The midfielder suffered an ‘incredible knock’ which has ruled him out of tonight’s match. Simon Bajkowski of the Manchester Evening News relayed Pep Guardiola’s quote on X ahead of tonight’s match.
Nico Gonzalez is out with an ‘incredible knock’ that he picked up against Brighton, says Pep Guardiola
— Simon Bajkowski (@spbajko) January 13, 2026
Nico O’Reilly has the opportunity to start in midfield for Manchester City tonight.
It is a blow for Manchester City to lose Nico for tonight’s match. The Spanish midfielder has been superb for City this season and he would have had an important role to play tonight against Newcastle’s formidable midfield if he was fit. Instead, Nico misses tonight’s match and the hope is that he is fit enough to feature against Manchester United at Old Trafford on Saturday. Rodri is on the bench for tonight’s match so an opportunity is there for Nico O’Reilly to impress in midfield.
Nico O’Reilly is a midfielder by trade, although he has shone at left-back this season for Pep Guardiola’s side. Tonight sees him move into an important role in this Manchester City side and you do sense that if O’Reilly plays well, with support from his teammates, it could a long way in deciding the result of tonight’s match.
Nico sustained an ‘incredible knock’ in Manchester City’s recent 1-all draw with Brighton. That knock has ruled him out of tonight’s match. It now remains to be seen if he will be fit to feature in Saturday’s Manchester derby at Old Trafford.