MX23RW : Friday, November 22 04:06:20| >> :120:9068:9068:
[monks data]
Manchester City logo
Champions League | Group Stage
Nov 28, 2023 at 8pm UK
Etihad Stadium
Leipzig logo

Man City
3 - 2
RB Leipzig

Haaland (54'), Foden (70'), Alvarez (87')
Dias (21')
FT(HT: 0-2)
Openda (13', 33')

Manchester City receive double fitness boost ahead of RB Leipzig clash

Man City receive double fitness boost ahead of Leipzig clash
© Reuters
Manchester City receive a double fitness boost concerning Jack Grealish and Mateo Kovacic ahead of Tuesday's Champions League clash with RB Leipzig at the Etihad Stadium.

Manchester City have received a double fitness boost concerning Jack Grealish and Mateo Kovacic ahead of Tuesday's Champions League clash with RB Leipzig at the Etihad Stadium.

Grealish missed the 1-1 draw with Liverpool in the Premier League on Saturday through illness, while Kovacic was also absent due to a thigh injury sustained before the international break.

Matheus Nunes was another who was unable to play against Liverpool due to injury, while John Stones was named on the substitutes' bench but was not deemed fit to feature having only recently made progress in his recovery from a muscle problem.

Speaking ahead of the midweek encounter with Leipzig, manager Pep Guardiola stated that he was 'not optimistic' of any of the injured players returning to the matchday squad for their penultimate Group G fixture.

"I'm not much optimistic about some good news for some people to come back," Guardiola said at a press conference on Monday.

"We'll see this afternoon. I think it'll be the same people that played against Liverpool. We have training now but we'll see this afternoon. We'll do the second day of recovery. We won't think to do anything."

Manchester City's Mateo Kovacic pictured on September 2, 2023© Reuters

However, Citizens supporters have seemingly been handed a fitness boost regarding both Grealish and Kovacic as both players have taken part in this afternoon's open training session at City Football Academy.

Stones was also one of the 21 Man City players who trained, but there was no sign of Nunes which suggests that Tuesday's game will come too soon for the midfielder.

Discussing Stones's fitness, Guardiola said: "He's getting better. Not to play but maybe a few minutes, maybe for the next one. He's really, really close to coming back. It's incredibly good news for us."

Meanwhile, Kevin De Bruyne has been sidelined since August with a serious hamstring injury, but the playmaker recently suggested that he is targeting a comeback in the early parts of the New Year.

Asked about De Bruyne's comments over his potential return, Guardiola said: "I'd love to have him all season but he has had a tough injury and surgery so he has had to recover well. End of December or Happy New Year will be a Happy New Year for everyone."

Man City have already qualified for the last 16 of the Champions League along with Leipzig, but they can secure top spot in Group G if they claim at least a point on Tuesday.

ID:529997:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect4074:No Data Analysis info

Click here for more stories about Pep Guardiola

Click here for more stories about Manchester City

Game History

How you voted: Man City vs RB Leipzig

Manchester City
87.5%
Draw
8.3%
RB Leipzig
4.2%
168
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne after being substituted due to injury on August 11, 2023
Read Next:
Man City's Kevin De Bruyne eyeing return in New Year
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
1.15am
Steelers
@
Browns
Tables header RHS

League Phase

TeamPWDLPTS
1Liverpool440012
2Sporting Lisbon431010
3Brest431010
4Inter Milan431010
5Monaco431010
6Barcelona43019
7Dortmund43019
8Aston Villa43019
9Atalanta42208
10Juventus42117
11Lille42117
12Man City42117
13Arsenal42117
14B. Leverkusen42117
15Celtic42117
16Dinamo Zagreb42117
17AC Milan42026
18Bayern42026
19Benfica42026
20Feyenoord42026
21Real Madrid42026
22Brugge42026
23Atletico42026
24PSV41215
25Sparta Prague41124
26Stuttgart41124
27PSG41124
28Shakhtar41124
29Girona41033
30Salzburg41033
31Bologna40131
32RB Leipzig40040
33Sturm Graz40040
34Young Boys40040
35Red Star40040
36Slovan Bratislava40040


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!