Man City vs AEK Athens: Haaland Doubt Clouds Champions League Plan

Manchester City go into their Champions League meeting with AEK Athens in good domestic form, seven straight Premier League wins, but with a squad sheet that suddenly looks messy. The immediate issue is Erling Haaland, who is a major doubt after picking up a knock late in the win over Ipswich.

Enzo Maresca did not rule him out, but he hardly sounded definitive either. “He can be available,” Maresca said. “We’ll see. We have a session now and we have some doubts after Sunday’s game.

“He was quite good yesterday. Better. So we’ll see today.

“Replacing Erling is always difficult. We have some different options and we’ll see tomorrow.

“It depends a little bit on the gameplan and also there is a chance he can be available tomorrow.”

Haaland injury latest shapes Man City attack

That leaves City with a straightforward problem. If Haaland does not make it, there is no like for like replacement. Antoine Semenyo, one of the alternative options through the middle, is out for up to eight weeks with a knee injury. So the likely solution is tactical rather than positional.

Phil Foden could start as a false nine after scoring against Ipswich. If that happens, Rayan Cherki is well placed to come back into the side after sitting out the weekend. It is a logical adjustment, and probably the cleanest one.

Champions League rotation in key areas

There are more fitness concerns. Mateo Kovacic, Nico O’Reilly and Matheus Nunes all came off against Ipswich, though all three are expected to have a chance of being involved. Enzo Fernandez and Elliot Anderson should return in midfield, while Rico Lewis, Abdukodir Khusanov and Rayan Ait-Nouri are all pushing for starts.

With Aston Villa away at lunchtime on Saturday, rotation is inevitable. Maresca has to balance qualification points with basic squad management.

Predicted Man City XI vs AEK Athens

Donnarumma, Lewis, Khusanov, Guehi, Gvardiol, Anderson, Fernandez, Ndiaye, Cherki, Ait-Nouri, Foden.

Injury list: Antoine Semenyo.

Doubts: Erling Haaland, Matheus Nunes, Nico O’Reilly, Mateo Kovacic.

Kick-off at the Etihad Stadium is 8pm BST on Tuesday, October 20, 2026.