Manchester City face Real Madrid in the Champions League this weekplaceholder image
Manchester City face Real Madrid in the Champions League this week | AFP via Getty Images
The early Manchester City team news as they prepare to face Real Madrid in the Champions League.
Pep Guardiola's side returns to Madrid for the first leg of their round of 16 tie, having already defeated the La Liga giants in the league phase of the competition this season. Nico O'Reilly and Haaland scored when the Blues came from behind to win 2-1, and both players could start again in midweek.
Haaland was rested for the weekend victory over Newcastle in the FA Cup after Guardiola claimed he wanted to keep him fit for the bigger matches in their calendar. It appears the City boss was not bluffing, with the Norwegian striker one of 25 players spotted training at the City Football Academy on Tuesday morning.
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There were several positives as Man City conducted open training ahead of their clash with Real Madrid in the Champions League.
Erling Haaland was the main attraction at the CFA, while Mateo Kovacic also took part in the session after his recent return to first team training. The popular midfielder has been sidelined since he suffered an ankle injury last summer, but is expected to be back in action for the final months of the campaign.
Sverre Nypan was also involved in the training group as he gained more valuable first-team experience. The 19-year-old was recalled from his loan at Championship club Middlesbrough during the winter window and has featured for City at youth level since his return.
Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Donnarumma, James Trafford.
Defenders: Matheus Nunes, Rico Lewis, Abdukodir Khusanov, Marc Guehi, John Stones, Ruben Dias, Max Alleyne, Nathan Ake, Rayan Ait-Nouri.
Midfielders: Nico Gonzalez, Rodri, Mateo Kovacic, Bernardo Silva, Nico O’Reilly, Sverre Nypan, Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Cherki, Phil Foden.
Forwards: Savinho, Antoine Semenyo, Erling Haaland, Omar Marmoush, Jeremy Doku.
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