Man City Face Bodo/Glimt Without Key Stars Bernardo and Semenyo in Crucial Clash
A cold northern getaway might be exactly what this Manchester City squad requires following their disappointing loss in the local derby.
Nevertheless, Pep Guardiola's team won't be enjoying thermal baths and aurora displays, but will instead face an intense Bodø crowd and synthetic turf. Additionally, sub-zero conditions are expected for City's second-to-last group stage match.
Luckily, they're well-positioned. Four Champions League victories from six matches places them fourth in the standings and likely requiring just one victory from their final two games to secure their spot in the knockout round.
Defensive injury concerns and the unusual playing conditions make Tuesday's away fixture a clear potential upset for Guardiola's squad, though they'll meet a Bodø team that hasn't competed in over a month. Their 2026 Eliteserien season won't begin until March.
Guardiola has selected a 21-player traveling roster, and here's the formation he might deploy in Norway.
Man City Predicted Lineup vs. Bodø/Glimt (4-1-4-1)
Man City Predicted Lineup vs. Bodø/Glimt (4-1-4-1)
GK: Gianluigi Donnarumma—The Italian keeper was City's top performer throughout most of the derby, and he'll face another busy evening on Tuesday if the Sky Blues display similar defensive uncertainty.
RB: Rico Lewis—Matheus Nunes remains unavailable due to illness, so Lewis must continue in the right-back position.
CB: Abdukodir Khusanov—Recovery pace is Khusanov's strength, though he lacks the refined passing ability to compensate for City's current defensive gaps. Nevertheless, the Uzbek defender is guaranteed his starting role here.
CB: Nathan Aké—City's entire backline struggled significantly over the weekend, with young Max Alleyne looking especially nervous in the opening period. Aké's display didn't improve when he moved centrally, but Pep will probably rely on his experience to organize a patched-up defense while new acquisition Marc Guéhi gets ready for his first appearance.
LB: Rayan Aït-Nouri—The Algerian defender had only a brief appearance on Saturday, having recently returned from injury. However, the away side could benefit from Aït-Nouri's capacity to push forward and link up with colleagues.
DM: Rodri—The 2024 Ballon d'Or recipient was isolated in the derby but completed the full match. Guardiola will be cautious about deploying Rodri on synthetic surface in Bodø, though Nico González didn't make the trip. Nico O'Reilly remains an option.
RW: Phil Foden—Despite allegedly sustaining an injury in the derby, Foden has made the journey to the Arctic and could be positioned on the right wing, where he's anticipated to interchange regularly with Lewis from the back. Antoine Semenyo cannot participate.
CM: Tijjani Reijnders—The Dutch midfielder is certain to return to the first eleven, considering Bernardo Silva's absence. Reijnders entered late in the derby.
CM: Rayan Cherki—Cherki has arguably been City's finest performer over the last month and a half, making his exclusion from Saturday's starting lineup puzzling. Guardiola will certainly restore him to the team sheet here.
LW: Jérémy Doku—Doku will maintain his left-wing position, though he might receive relief from Omar Marmoush, who's returned from the Africa Cup of Nations in time for this match.
ST: Erling Haaland—He returns to his native country on Tuesday evening, though it would require nearly 24 hours of driving from Haaland's birthplace of Bryne to reach Bodø—a journey passing through Oslo and Sweden. Still, the forward will certainly experience some comfort during his recent goal drought.
