Pep Guardiola will have to get creative to solve Manchester City’s midfield puzzle for Galatasaray clash | OneFootball

Manchester City returned to winning ways on Saturday as they beat Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-0 at the Etihad Stadium. Pep Guardiola’s side will be happy to have put consecutive defeats behind them as they now prepare for their final Champions League league phase fixture against Galatasaray. City must beat the Turkish giants to have any chance of finishing in the top eight of the Champions League league phase table. Pep Guardiola has provided an update on the injury status of his squad. The City manager will have to get creative to deal with the players who are unavailable for the Galatasaray match.

Manchester City will be without Rodri and Nico for the clash with Galatasaray.

Speaking after his team’s win over Wolves, Pep Guardiola has provided an update on the fitness of his squad for their crucial clash with Galatasaray. The Manchester City manager revealed that Nico will miss the match, as will Rodri through suspension. Speaking on which players will miss Manchester City’s clash with  Galatasaray, in quotes relayed by Hayters TV, Guardiola said: “I know Marc (Guehi) cannot play, Antoine (Semenyo) cannot play, Rodri cannot play, apart from all the players that we have sidelined.”

“Nico Gonzalez will not be ready and Savinho will not be ready and John Stones will not be ready.”

Pep Guardiola will likely have to turn to Nico O’Reilly to fill a void in Manchester City’s midfield.

It is a massive blow for Manchester City to be without Rodri and Nico for their crucial Champions League fixture against Galatasaray. Both players are integral to City’s play. Nico has been superb this season, although, frustratingly, he has been sidelined due to a knock that he sustained in  Manchester City’s 1-all draw with Brighton. Rodri is suspended for the match against Galatasaray after being sent off in Manchester City’s 3-1 defeat to Bodø/Glimt last week. But there does look to be one obvious solution to the issue for Pep Guardiola.

Nico O’Reilly is the prime candidate to partner Bernardo Silva in Manchester City’s midfield against Galatasaray. O’Reilly played as a number six in City’s recent 2-nil win over Newcastle United. He played well and didn’t look out of place in midfield. O’Reilly’s energy and athleticism could prove vital against Galatasaray. If O’Reilly were to start in midfield, either Rayan Ait-Nouri or Nathan Ake could start at left-back. Nico O’Reilly has made the left-back position his own this season, but it is highly likely that O’Reilly will be needed in midfield against Galatasaray. So, it seems that Ait-Nouri or Ake will more than likely get the opportunity at left-back.

Manchester City will be without Nico and Rodri for their crucial Champions League fixture against Galatasaray. That is a blow for Pep Guardiola’s side. But there does seem to be an obvious option for Pep Guardiola to use in midfield. That is Nico O’Reilly. The young England international now looms as an important player in a match that City must win on Wednesday night at the Etihad.