The injured midfielder Rodri is included in the updated Champions League team Manchester City.
He did not have an influential Spanish internationally for City because he suffered an anterior cross ligament injury in September, and it was expected that he would be unlikely to play this season.
The men of Pepa Guardiola fought in the absence of a 28-year-old, sliding to the fifth place in the Premier League table and only ensuring the progression to the Champions League play-offs in their last match of the League phase.
However, the champions could potentially be presented with a great reinforcement by the return of the winner of the Balloon D’Or 2024 before the end of the campaign after being appointed in their European squad by the end of the season.
City Face Real Madrid in the first of their two-legged play-off game next week, and although it seems unlikely that the midfielder will appear in that area, it could be available if they reach the last phase.
Our team for @Championsleague is updated 📋
– Manchester City (@Mancity) 7 February 2025
The January signatures of Abdukodir Khusanov, Omar Marmoush and Nico Gonzalez are also included, although there is no room for a new arrival Victor Reis with City who is only allowed to make three changes.
Kyle Walker is one of the names removed from his team after moving a loan to AC Milan, and Josh Wilson-Esbrand also made the way after making a temporary transition to cattle.
Man City host Real at Etihad Stadium on Tuesday, February 11, before heading to Bernabeu on Wednesday, February 19th.
Manchester City Champions League
List a
Goalkeepers
Epson, Stefan Ortega Moreno, Scott Carson
Defenders
Manuel Akanji, Nathan Ake, Ruben Dias, John Stones, Abdukodir Khusanov, Josko Guardiol
Midfielders
Nico, Ilkay Gundogan, Jack Gralialish, Kevin de Bruyne, Bernardo, Rodri, Mateo Kovacic, Matheus Nunes, James McATEE, Phil Foden, Jeremy Loca, Savinho
Forward
Erling Haaland, Omar Marmoush
List B (Players born on, or after, January 1, 2003)
Oscar Bobb, Max Alleyne, Rico Lewis, Nico O’Reilly
