Manchester City face striker crisis ahead of European clash

Manchester City could play without star forward Erling Haaland in their upcoming Champions League fixture against AEK Athens at Etihad Stadium. Haaland netted a brace during a three-two win against Ipswich Town, pushing his season tally to eight goals and placing him at the summit of the Premier League scoring charts. During that same match, the twenty-six-year-old took a knock to his foot and faces a race against time to prove his fitness. Manager Enzo Maresca noted that the player might still feature if he passes a fitness check following Monday's training session, though he sat out the media-accessible portion of the workout.

Squad Dilemma

The team's attacking depth has taken a sharp hit because Antoine Semenyo is sidelined for eight weeks due to a left knee collateral ligament injury picked up in the Ipswich game. Semenyo has contributed two goals and three assists across ten appearances this season, and his absence rules out a makeshift central option that manager Maresca had previously considered. With Divin Mubama having departed on a summer loan to Southampton, the squad lacks a traditional like-for-like center-forward backup.

Attacking Options

Maresca weighed several alternative solutions to lead the line in the event of an absence. Midfielder Phil Foden, who recently ended a long goal drought in the league on Saturday, represents one potential candidate for the role. Other alternatives mentioned include Senegal international Iliman Ndiaye, who previously played centrally during his time at Sheffield United, and Rayan Cherki, whom former staff noted fits the false nine position well. Meanwhile, Jeremy Doku is expected to retain his spot on the left wing while the squad prepares for the continental match following their recent four-two defeat to Paris St-Germain.

Context

Top football clubs competing across both domestic leagues and continental tournaments regularly face squad depth challenges when key players sustain injuries during a packed fixture schedule. Managing tight turnarounds between weekend domestic matches and mid-week European fixtures requires careful rotation and tactical flexibility from coaching staff.