Man City Starting XI vs Galatasaray: Confirmed Team News and Predicted Lineup

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·28 de janeiro de 2026

Man City Starting XI vs Galatasaray: Confirmed Team News and Predicted Lineup

Man City Injury List Dominates Galatasaray Build-Up

Manchester City approach a decisive Champions League night with urgency sharpened by circumstance. A visit from Galatasaray brings the clearest of equations at the Etihad Stadium, win or risk an unwanted detour through the play-off round. The backdrop, is a squad stretched thin by injuries in the most sensitive area of the pitch.

Pep Guardiola is without three senior central defenders. John Stones, Josko Gvardiol and Ruben Dias are all sidelined long term, leaving City short at the back at precisely the moment European margins tighten. Abdukodir Khusanov and Nathan Ake are the only two senior centre-back options available, while Max Alleyne has been pressed into service after being recalled from his loan at Watford.

Vídeos OneFootball

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January Reinforcements Offer Future Relief

Those absences accelerated City’s transfer activity. The club moved quickly to secure Marc Guehi for £20million, a deal shaped by necessity as much as planning. However, the England international cannot be registered for the Champions League until the knockout rounds, a restriction that also applies to Antoine Semenyo. Their presence offers reassurance for what may follow, not for what lies immediately ahead.

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City enter the final matchday 11th in the table, close enough to the top eight to still harbour hope of direct qualification. That path depends on a victory here and favourable results elsewhere. Failure would extend the campaign into February, something Guardiola would prefer to avoid given the current workload.

Guardiola Manages Key Fitness

There were signs of caution at the weekend. Erling Haaland and Phil Foden were both rested from the start against Wolves before appearing as second-half substitutes. Guardiola later explained that Haaland was “exhausted” and that his minutes were being managed, a reminder that even City’s most durable assets have limits.

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Jeremy Doku, speaking alongside Guardiola before this fixture, hinted strongly at a starting role. In midfield, Nico Gonzalez faces a late fitness test as City look for cover following Rodri’s suspension, a further complication in an already delicate balance.