Rayan Cherki and Gianluigi Donnarumma provided City’s international interest on Monday night, with both enjoying victories before another large group of players potentially feature today.
Cherki had a hand in France’s late winner against Belgium, while Donnarumma captained Italy to their first Nations League victory of the campaign. There could be considerably more City involvement before Tuesday is over.
Cherki involved in France winner
Cherki came off the bench as France beat Belgium 1-0 in Brussels last night. The Man City midfielder replaced Maghnes Akliouche in the 77th minute and was involved in the decisive moment 11 minutes later.
Cherki found Michael Olise on the right around halfway before the Bayern Munich midfielder did most of the work himself, carrying the ball towards the penalty area and finishing superbly. City credited Cherki with setting up the goal, although Olise’s run and finish were very much the story of it.
It followed our preview of Cherki and Donnarumma’s Monday-night international fixtures, with both players getting on the pitch. Cherki has now featured in both of Zinedine Zidane’s first two games as France manager, starting one and coming off the bench in the other.
Donnarumma captains Italy victory
Donnarumma completed another 90 minutes for Italy and wore the captain’s armband as Roberto Mancini’s side beat Turkiye 4-1. Alessandro Bastoni, Davide Frattesi and Michael Kayode put Italy three goals ahead inside 27 minutes.
Baris Yilmaz pulled one back shortly after half-time before Pio Esposito restored the three-goal advantage. The result gave Italy their first points of the Nations League campaign after Friday’s 2-0 home defeat against Belgium. Cherki and Donnarumma could now find themselves on opposite sides when France host Italy at the Stade de France on Friday night.
Another busy day for City internationals
There is plenty more international football to come today. Vitor Reis is with Brazil for their second friendly against Australia, while Rayan Ait-Nouri and Iliman Ndiaye are due to be involved for Algeria and Senegal respectively from 2pm.
Ayyoub Bouaddi’s Morocco also face Lesotho at 2pm. There is academy interest later in the afternoon, with Kaden Braithwaite and Ryan McAidoo part of the England Under-19 squad facing Norway at 3pm.
We have all 11 City players who could feature today in our full international preview, including the fixtures and UK kick-off times. Antoine Semenyo had been selected by Ghana but withdrew from the squad because of a swollen leg and isn’t expected to feature against Gambia.
Five City players could feature tonight
The largest concentration of City interest comes in the two 7.45pm Nations League games. Josko Gvardiol and Mateo Kovacic are with Croatia for their trip to Spain, while Elliot Anderson, Marc Guehi and Nico O’Reilly could feature when England visit Czechia.
All three City players started England’s 3-2 defeat against Spain at Wembley on Saturday. Guehi was replaced late on by Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite, while Anderson and O’Reilly completed the game. Whether Thomas Tuchel retains the same City trio remains to be seen, but all three are available in Prague tonight.
It leaves City with the possibility of involvement from late morning until late evening on another busy day of the international break.
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