Man City XI vs Real Madrid: Confirmed team news, predicted lineup, Nico Gonzalez injury latest for Champions League | OneFootball

Nico Gonzalez is a doubt but Erling Haaland is in line to return

Pep Guardiola is set to recall Erling Haaland to the Manchester City starting lineup for the Champions League clash against Real Madrid.

Whilst Haaland is poised to spearhead Man City’s attack at the Etihad Stadium, it remains to be seen if January signing Nico Gonzalez will be available for selection.

The midfielder was forced off just 22 minutes into his City debut against Orient and is a doubt to face Real Madrid.

“I hope so,” Guardiola said when asked if Nico will be available. “The kick was strong in this area. We have a few days, we will see.”

Josko Gvardiol, Phil Foden and Kevin De Bruyne are all pushing for starts, whilst Guardiola could shift Manuel Akanji to right-back for more defensive solidity as Real Madrid tend to favour attacking down their left.

Kevin De Bruyne was a second half substitute in Man City’s win over Leyton Orient.

AP

Meanwhile, Ederson, Nathan Ake, Jeremy Doku and Oscar Bobb could feature having returned to training recently following spells on the sidelines.

However, Vitor Reis is ineligible after being left out of City’s updated Champions League squad that does include fellow January signings Abdukodir Khusanov and Omar Marmoush.

Predicted Man City XI: Ederson; Akanji, Stones, Dias, Gvardiol; Nico, Kovacic; Bernardo, De Bruyne, Foden; Haaland

Doubts: Ederson, Bobb, Doku, Ake, Nico

Injured: Rodri

Ineligible: Reis

Time and date: 8pm GMT on Tuesday 11, February 2025

Venue: Etihad Stadium

TV channel and live stream: Amazon Prime Video