Manchester City fans can breathe a sigh of relief as the club receives positive injury updates ahead of their much-anticipated Champions League clash against Real Madrid. Four key players—Erling Haaland, Ruben Dias, Nathan Ake, and Jack Grealish—have returned to training, giving Pep Guardiola’s side a significant boost for one of their most crucial matches of the season.
Star striker Erling Haaland appeared to suffer a knee injury towards the end of Manchester City’s recent Premier League encounter with Newcastle United. The sight of the Norwegian goal machine in visible discomfort sent waves of concern through the City camp. However, despite the scare, Haaland managed to walk off the pitch unaided and even completed his customary lap around the Etihad Stadium post-match.
Guardiola, addressing concerns, expressed optimism regarding Haaland’s availability for the Champions League tie. The striker’s participation in Tuesday morning’s training session further eased fears. With 17 goals in the Premier League this season and an impressive Champions League track record, Haaland’s presence against Real Madrid could be a decisive factor.
Manchester City’s defense has faced challenges in recent weeks due to injuries, but the return of Ruben Dias and Nathan Ake offers Guardiola much-needed options at the back. Dias, who was unable to complete the Newcastle match due to fitness concerns, is expected to be fully fit for the Real Madrid clash. Guardiola confirmed that Dias had indicated he was only ready for 15–20 minutes of play against Newcastle, leading the manager to opt for a cautious approach.
Nathan Ake, meanwhile, was sidelined due to illness but has also resumed training. His versatility in defense, especially his ability to play both as a center-back and a left-back, is crucial in providing tactical flexibility against a formidable Real Madrid attack.
Jack Grealish, who suffered an injury during the first leg defeat against Real Madrid, has made a timely return. Known for his ball retention, creativity, and ability to win fouls in dangerous positions, Grealish’s presence could play a significant role in City’s attacking plans.
While his form this season has been somewhat inconsistent, Guardiola values Grealish’s contributions in controlling tempo and drawing defenders out of position. Having him back in training ahead of the Madrid showdown is an encouraging sign for City.
City’s training squad for the Champions League has been confirmed, with the likes of Ederson, John Stones, Josko Gvardiol, Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva, and Phil Foden all included. Youngsters Justin Oboavwoduo and Stephen Mfuni were also spotted in training, though Vitor Reis—who trained with the team—was not included in the Champions League squad and will not travel to Spain.
With Kevin De Bruyne’s contract expiring after the 2024/25 season, Manchester City is already looking ahead to potential successors. Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz has emerged as one of Guardiola’s primary targets.
At just 21 years old, Wirtz is already considered one of the most exciting young talents in European football. His technical ability, vision, and knack for scoring crucial goals make him an ideal candidate to replace De Bruyne in the long term. However, securing Wirtz will not be straightforward—Bayer Leverkusen has made it clear that a mid-season transfer is out of the question, and the player’s high valuation of €140 million presents a significant hurdle.
Despite ongoing negotiations with Leverkusen for a contract extension, City remains keen on monitoring the German midfielder’s situation. Whether Wirtz eventually makes the move to Manchester depends on multiple factors, including De Bruyne’s future and Leverkusen’s willingness to negotiate.
Another major boost for City comes in the form of Rodri’s recovery from a knee injury. The Spanish midfielder, who has been out since September following his withdrawal in a 2-2 draw with Arsenal, has been working hard on his rehabilitation.
Rodri’s absence was felt deeply by City, given his role as a defensive anchor and a key component in Guardiola’s midfield setup. The 28-year-old underwent surgery but made headlines by winning the prestigious Ballon d’Or in October, cementing his status as one of the best players in the world.
In recent weeks, Rodri has increased his presence at the City Football Academy and even took a trip to the United States, where he trained with the New Orleans Pelicans and Saints under the supervision of City’s Head of Rehabilitation, Tom O’Malley. Speaking about his recovery, Rodri expressed confidence in his progress, stating that he feels stable and is focused on regaining strength in his quadriceps.
Manchester City remains in contention for multiple titles this season, and squad depth will play a crucial role in their pursuit of silverware. With Liverpool and Arsenal providing stiff competition in the Premier League and Real Madrid posing a significant challenge in the Champions League, Guardiola will need all of his key players available.
The return of Haaland, Dias, Ake, and Grealish, along with Rodri’s rehabilitation progress, gives City a much-needed lift. The fitness of these players could determine how far City progresses in Europe and whether they can maintain their dominance domestically.
Real Madrid, with their rich Champions League pedigree and attacking prowess, will present a formidable challenge. The likes of Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Jr., and Rodrygo will test City’s defensive resilience, making the return of Dias and Ake all the more significant.
Offensively, City will rely on Haaland’s goal-scoring ability, De Bruyne’s creativity, and Foden’s versatility to break down Madrid’s defense. Grealish, if fully fit, will also be expected to contribute by drawing fouls and disrupting Madrid’s defensive organization.
As City prepares for one of their biggest matches of the season, the positive injury updates provide a timely morale boost. The return of key players, combined with Rodri’s recovery and ongoing transfer speculations regarding Florian Wirtz, adds multiple storylines to City’s season.
With Guardiola at the helm, City will aim to maximize their resources and push for victory in Madrid. The result of this tie could shape their trajectory for the rest of the campaign, and with renewed squad strength, they have every reason to be optimistic.
