Manchester City have been handed an injury boost with Erling Haaland, Jack Grealish, Nathan Ake and Ruben Dias all in training ahead of tomorrow’s Champions League clash with Real Madrid.
Haaland was substituted after jarring his knee in the 4-0 weekend win over Newcastle United in the Premier League. The Norwegian was deemed a doubt to face Real Madrid and Liverpool this week but has returned to training with the main group.
What a special honour to captain this team, thanks to everyone for the support! pic.twitter.com/IvgBfYXeY9
— Erling Haaland (@ErlingHaaland) February 16, 2025
He appeared to be moving freely during the session, in a huge positive for Pep Guardiola. Haaland has scored 27 goals in 35 games this season, including both City goals in the 3-2 first leg defeat.
Ake, Dias and Grealish all missed the Newcastle game. However, the trio have all also been involved in Tuesday’s training session ahead of the club’s flight to Madrid later today. It is unclear whether they will travel as part of Guardiola’s squad but their involvement in today’s session is a positive sign.
City face an uphill task to turnaround the tie against the European champions. Despite leading in the 86th minute of the first meeting, late goals from Brahim Diaz and Jude Bellingham handed Real Madrid a 3-2 win at the Etihad.
City – who were eliminated by Real Madrid in last season’s competition – have won just once in five previous visits to the Bernabeu. Real Madrid have not lost a Champions League tie in which the Spaniards won the away leg since losing to Ajax in 2018/19.
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