City wrap up their Asia tour against Atletico Madrid today, with Enzo Maresca expected to hand starts to several players fighting for their place ahead of next week’s Community Shield.
Reports ahead of kick-off in Seoul point to a 4-2-3-1 shape, with Gianluigi Donnarumma continuing in goal behind a back four of Nunes, Khusanov, Gvardiol and Aït-Nouri. Reijnders and a central midfield partner are tipped to sit in front of the defence, with Foden, Semenyo and one of City’s forward options completing the attacking line.
Erling Haaland remains unavailable, still to link up with the squad following his exploits with Norway at the World Cup, while Rodri is sidelined after undergoing back surgery on 28 July. City are also without Rayan Cherki, Marc Guehi, Elliot Anderson and Nico O’Reilly, all missing through World Cup commitments.
It leaves Maresca working with a depleted group as he searches for his first win since arriving from Chelsea, following a penalty shootout defeat to Inter Milan and a comfortable victory over the K League All Stars.
Divin Mubama and Jeremy Monga, both among the standout performers of the tour so far, will again be pushing for involvement.
With the Community Shield against Arsenal just a week away, this is Maresca’s last real chance to settle on his preferred XI before competitive football begins.
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Source: Yahoo Sports
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