Manchester Metropolis on Friday added midfielder Rodri within the Champions League squad for the knockout part because the 2023 champions hope for the Spaniard worldwide to doubtlessly return to motion this season. The Ballon d’Or winner had torn the ACL in his proper knee towards Arsenal on September 22 and had beforehand set a goal of about April – “six to seven months” after the harm – to return to play.
UEFA had set a midnight Thursday deadline to submit up to date squad lists for European competitions. With a restrict of three new signings within the midseason switch window allowed, Metropolis disregarded teenage defender Vitor Reis who joined from Palmeiras final month.
With the Champions League quarters set to happen on April 8, the English champions have a frightening process to remain within the competitors till then with out star midfielder Rodri, who scored the profitable purpose within the 2023 remaining towards Inter Milan.
Our squad for the @ChampionsLeague has been up to date 📋
— Manchester Metropolis (@ManCity) February 7, 2025
Man Metropolis face Actual Madrid in a two-leg knockout playoff, subsequent Tuesday and on February 19. The winner will play both Atletico Madrid or Bayer Leverkusen within the spherical of 16.
New signings who’re included in coach Pep Guardiola’s squad for the Champions League are midfielder Nico Gonzalez — who can stand in for Rodri — ahead Omar Marmoush, and defender Abdukodir Khusanov.
Final week, Metropolis supervisor Pep Guardiola had stated that he doesn’t see the membership profitable the Champions League this season. This was after a nerve-wracking match towards Membership Brugge who gave Metropolis a scare with a first-half purpose earlier than the 2023 champions got here again to win the competition 3-1.
“Proper now, no (I don’t). I’m so pragmatic, the fact is the fact,” Guardiola responded to a query on if Metropolis can win the Champions League this season on the post-match press convention.
(With company inputs)
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