Haaland and four others doubtful as Maresca prepares City for AEK Athens clash

Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca is set to address the media on Monday ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League group-stage fixture against AEK Athens, with injury updates on Erling Haaland and four teammates the central concern.

Haaland, Antoine Semenyo, Matheus Nunes, Mateo Kovacic and Nico O’Reilly all picked up knocks during Saturday’s 3-2 Premier League victory over Ipswich Town at the Etihad Stadium. Of the five, Semenyo and O’Reilly are understood to be the more serious worries, though Maresca is expected to provide clearer assessments at the lunchtime briefing.

The Norwegian striker’s fitness presents Maresca with a particular dilemma. Before the Ipswich match, the City head coach acknowledged that Haaland was among five players in need of a rest — yet only Semenyo was given one. With Haaland now nursing a concern of his own, Maresca may use the European fixture to manage his minutes. However, if Semenyo is also ruled out, the manager’s hand could be forced.

City’s win over Ipswich was their seventh consecutive victory to open a Premier League season, surpassing the record previously set by Pep Guardiola. Phil Foden broke his goal drought on 19 minutes by converting Jeremy Doku’s cross, before Daizen Maeda levelled for the visitors. Haaland restored City’s lead with a header before half-time and added a second with just over 20 minutes remaining. A third goal was disallowed by VAR for offside, and Ipswich capitalised almost immediately, earning a penalty that Zian Flemming converted to set up a nervy finish. City held on through 12 minutes of added time.

AEK Athens arrive at the Etihad with a Champions League record closely mirroring City’s own, meaning a win for Maresca’s side would move them back towards the top eight in the league-phase standings. A player will join Maresca at the press conference, though the club has not confirmed who.