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Manchester City head coach Pep Guardiola has urged supporters to back the team ahead of their crucial UEFA Champions League group-stage match against Galatasaray at the Etihad Stadium. The Spaniard emphasized that fan support will be essential for the team to secure a place among the top eight and progress in the competition.
Guardiola also highlighted the extensive list of unavailable players due to injuries and suspensions, noting: “We need our fans. Marc cannot play, Antoine cannot play, Rodri cannot play, apart from all the players on the sidelines. Nico will not be ready. Savinho will not be ready, Stones will not be ready. A long list, but hopefully our stands can encourage us to try it.”
Marc Guehi and Antoine Semenyo, both new signings, will miss the match, while Rodri is sidelined due to suspension after receiving a red card in the previous match against Bodo/Glimt. Other players such as Nico, Savinho, John Stones, Ruben Dias, Oscar Bobb and Mateo Kovacic are also unavailable due to injury, with some expected to return in February.
The Turkish side comes into the match with 10 points from seven group-stage games, including three wins, one draw and three losses, placing them 17th in the standings ahead of Azerbaijan’s Karabag on goal difference. Manchester City, by comparison, has 13 points with four wins, one draw and two losses, ranking 11th in the group.
Galatasaray will be aiming to secure a top-16 finish in the 36-team group stage, which would give them an advantage as a seeded team in the play-offs. The team will be close to a full squad for the match, with key players Wilfried Singo returning from a two-month injury absence and Arda Unyay expected to rejoin the squad.
However, Ismail Jakobs, Davinson Sanchez and Mario Lemina are at risk of suspension if they receive yellow cards, new signings Noa Lang and Yaser Asprilla will not be eligible to feature, having not been included in Galatasaray’s UEFA squad list.
Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen could make history in Europe, as a goal against City would make him Galatasaray’s top scorer in European competition, surpassing legends like Mario Jardel and Gheorghe Hagi.
Also, former Manchester City players Ilkay Gundogan and Leroy Sane will face their old club.
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