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Man City: Phil Foden and Mateo Kovacic named in squad for Juventus trip but defensive trio miss out

tashan deniran-alleyne
·2-min read
Man City: Phil Foden and Mateo Kovacic named in squad for Juventus trip but defensive trio miss out

Manchester City have been handed a major double boost ahead of their Champions League clash against Juventus.

City's unprecedented recent dip in form hasn't been helped by persistent injury issues with Pep Guardiola bemoaning at the weekend that he was without seven potential starters for the 2-2 draw against Crystal Palace.

Though, things are improving slowly but surely. Phil Foden and Mateo Kovacic both took part in team training on Tuesday and have been named in a 22-man squad for the trip to Italy.

With that said, Guardiola has urged for caution regarding the pair, stating their lack of match fitness means they may have to settle for a place on the bench.

Back: Phil Foden is in contention for Man City after two games out. (Getty Images)
Back: Phil Foden is in contention for Man City after two games out. (Getty Images)

“I don’t think so. Maybe a few minutes for Kova but I don’t think so,” the Spaniard said when asked if Foden or Kovacic are in line to start against Juventus.

“But it’s nice to have them here to the team, to the training sessions and to travel with us.”

City will be without young winger Oscar Bobb and Rodri on Wednesday night, whilst defensive trio John Stones, Nathan Ake and Manuel Akanji have all stayed behind due to their recent injuries.

“I don’t know. Nathan will be longer than Manu but I don’t know [how long],” Guardiola added when asked for an update on the latter pair.

“It’s the same [challenge] like we had in the last month, nothing changes.”

Confirmed Man City squad for Juventus clash

Goalkeepers: Stefan Ortega, Ederson, Max Hudson

Defenders: Kyle Walker, Ruben Dias, Josko Gvardiol, Jahmai Simpson-Pusey, Rico Lewis, Josh Wilson-Esbrand

Midfielders: Mateo Kovacic, Jack Grealish, Jeremy Doku, Kevin De Bruyne, Ilkay Gundogan, Bernardo Silva, Savinho, Matheus Nunes, Phil Foden, Jacob Wright, Nico O’Reilly, James McAtee

Forwards: Erling Haaland

City head to Turin aiming to get their Champions League campaign back on track after letting a 3-0 lead slip to draw at home to Feyenoord last month which came on the back of a 4-1 defeat away at Sporting CP.