Manchester City received a significant morale boost before their upcoming match against Real Madrid in the Champions League. One of their key players has recovered from an injury.
The Sky Blues are set to host Real Madrid on Tuesday evening in the first leg of the Champions League Round of 16 at the Etihad Stadium.
According to Manchester City Evening News, during today’s training session, Spanish midfielder Nico Gonzalez returned to the group after recovering from the injury he sustained in his match against Leyton Orient.
Gonzalez had to leave the pitch just 20 minutes into his debut for City after picking up an injury in the shot that led to the opposition’s first goal.
Initial reports from the medical staff gave coach Pep Guardiola some hope that Gonzalez would be fit for the Champions League match, and his return to full training on Monday confirmed this positive update.
Gonzalez wasn’t the only player back in action, with Jeremy Doku, goalkeeper Ederson, and defender Nathan Ake all returning after missing the FA Cup match over the weekend.
However, Oscar Pope and Matheus Nunez did not join the open part of training, suggesting they are still not ready for the match.
This news is a big boost for Guardiola’s side, who have faced a long-standing injury crisis this season, with at least four regular players missing every match in their last 31 games. This ongoing issue has negatively affected Manchester City’s performances in both the Champions League and the Premier League.
With Gonzalez and the trio of Doku, Ederson, and Ake returning, City could be set to recover just in time for their critical match against Real Madrid as they aim to progress further in Europe.
When is Manchester City’s Champions League clash against Real Madrid?
Manchester City will play Real Madrid in the first leg of the Champions League Round of 16 on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester. The match will kick off at 10:00 PM Cairo time, 11:00 PM Mecca time.
