There will be under three days between the penalty shoot-out in the Champions League vs Real Madrid and kick-off at Wembley in the FA Cup on Saturday.
Pep Guardiola insisted the schedule ‘is what it is’, and that Manchester City would deal with the hand they have been dealt – but the extra-time and penalties against Real Madrid won’t have helped his preparation for a huge FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea.
What also won’t have helped was the revelation that Erling Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne and Manu Akanji all asked to be substituted during the Real contest, throwing their participation against Chelsea into doubt. Seven players completed 120 minutes on Wednesday, so could be rested to keep the squad fresh at Wembley.
Ederson is perhaps one of the players who could play twice in three days, especially after his nerveless penalty against Real. But Stefan Ortega is the cup goalkeeper and has performed well recently so deserves to come back in against Chelsea – a move that will keep the goalkeepers fresh.
If Akanji is a doubt, John Stones can come back in after coming off the bench in extra time on Wednesday. Kyle Walker completed the full game on his return so it could make sense to bring in Rico Lewis at right-back. Ruben Dias may have to remain due to a lack of other options, but Nathan Ake is back so can add stability to the left side of defence after a good performance in midweek from Josko Gvardiol.
Rodri is undroppable and may have to remain despite his pleas for a rest recently, but Mateo Kovacic can come in to assist the holding midfield role – along with Stones and Lewis pushing up from defence. Phil Foden is another who might have to stay in the XI.
Jack Grealish was good against Real and was replaced around 70 minutes so should be fresh enough, as should his replacement Jeremy Doku who came on and forced City’s goal in his 50-minute cameo.
That gives De Bruyne a chance to rest if he isn’t fit, and Erling Haaland can also get a rest of his own if Julian Alvarez comes on. Alvarez only played half an hour against Real Madrid so should be fresher than other attacking options.
