Three key Manchester City absentees for Real Madrid amid Erling Haaland doubts | OneFootball

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola was not asked about fitness ahead of the first leg of their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 tie with Real Madrid.

The Blues are about to face off against Real Madrid for the 12th and 13th times in the last seven seasons as they remain in the running for an unprecedented quadruple.

City have already beaten Real Madrid on their own patch this season, having come from behind to seal a 2-1 win at the Santiago Bernabeu in the UEFA Champions League group-stage in December 2025 courtesy of goals from Nico O’Reilly and Erling Haaland.

After seeing their winning run in all competitions come to a halt at six games last week following a 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest, Guardiola and co returned to winning ways at the weekend by coming from behind to beat Newcastle United at St. James’ Park and progress to the FA Cup quarter-final, wherein they will play Liverpool in early April.

Are Manchester City facing any injury concerns ahead of the Round of 16 first leg?

Manchester City were without Haaland at the weekend, with the Norway international rested for the trip to Spain and Omar Marmoush making the most of a start by scoring a match-winning brace in the second-half at St. James’ Park.

However, Haaland’s absence was not attributed to a fitness issue and was solely aimed to keep the 25-year-old fresh to face Real Madrid, who are missing a series of key players in attack ahead of the opening leg at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Haaland raised some concern over his availability against Real Madrid over the weekend however – after sharing an image on social media of some real damage done to his leg as a result of a training tackle from Manchester City teammate Mateo Kovacic.

Rico Lewis has been nursing a swollen ankle and missed the trip to St. James’ Park as a result, though Rayan Ait-Nouri returned to the bench in Newcastle after feeling ‘some niggles’ in his leg against Nottingham Forest. Mateo Kovacic is closing in on a return and Josko Gvardiol is on course to be back in May.

Is Erling Haaland fit to start against Real Madrid on Wednesday night?

City are embarking upon a season-defining run of games in the next month, with Guardiola’s side playing Real Madrid (twice), West Ham (Premier League), Arsenal (Carabao Cup final), Liverpool (FA Cup), Chelsea (Premier League) and Arsenal (Premier League) in the next 40 days.

Speaking in a press conference on Tuesday evening from Madrid, Guardiola was not categorically asked about any fresh injury concerns his side are facing ahead of the first leg.

Notably – Kovacic, Lewis and Gvardiol – have not travelled as part of Manchester City’s 23 man squad to the Spanish capital. Haaland is expected to start after taking part in City’s open training session on Tuesday.

Who will partner Erling Haaland in attack for Manchester City against Real Madrid?

Antoine Semenyo started City’s FA Cup fifth round win over Newcastle United on the bench and is expected to be recalled to the starting XI against Real Madrid.

With Nico O’Reilly, Bernardo Silva and Rodri forming Guardiola’s preferred midfield trio of late, there is one attacking place up for grabs and all of Rayan Cherki, Tijjani Reijnders, Phil Foden, Jeremy Doku, Omar Marmoush and Savinho will be vying for the same.

Marmoush made a strong case for a start by winning City the game against Newcastle at the weekend, while Savinho also drew strong praise from Guardiola and John Stones, captain at St. James’ Park, for his impressive display on the wing following his recent return to fitness.

City Xtra‘s writing team have predicted how the upcoming UEFA Champions League Round of 16 tie between Real Madrid and Manchester City will play out here – as Guardiola and co continue their quest for silverware in their premier season under the stewardship of director of football Hugo Viana.