UCL: Manchester City v Lyon preview


Manchester City v Lyon preview

Sergio Aguero and Benjamin Mendy will both be assessed ahead of Manchester City's Champions League opener at home to Lyon on Wednesday.


Striker Aguero suffered an ankle injury during Saturday's 3-0 victory over Fulham while defender Mendy missed the game with a knee problem.

The Premier League champions will be without Pep Guardiola for the visit of Lyon, with the City manager serving a touchline ban at the Etihad Stadium after his sending off in last season's quarter-final against Liverpool.

Guardiola handed the pre-match media duties to Mikel Arteta, who provided an update on the fitness of Aguero and Mendy and City's preparations in Tuesday's press conference.

"We have a training session now and will see how they [Aguero and Mendy] react," the City assistant said.

"For me we have the best players in the world and I look at our players as if they are the best.

"I wouldn't change the players for any others. They are absolutely fantastic. The hunger is this group is incredible."

Arteta will take charge of the team on Wednesday as Guardiola will not be allowed any contact with the players inside the stadium.

The Spaniard added: "Up to now the preparation has been completely normal. The difference tomorrow is we will have some rules you must respect. We can have no communication.

"It is a good challenge, a very nice challenge, but if I had to choose, I would choose Pep on the touchline, because he does that job better than anyone else."
 
Along with Aguero and Mendy, full-back Danilo's participation on Wednesday is in doubt.

The Brazil international is yet to feature for City this season after injuring his ankle while on duty as this summer's World Cup.

Pep Guardiola confirms Sergio Aguero hurt his ankle during Saturday's victory over Fulham and could be a doubt for City's Champions League game against Lyon

Long-term Kevin De Bruyne (knee), Claudio Bravo (Achilles) and Eliaquim Mangala (knee) are unavailable.

Lyon are without Amine Gouiri for the trip, with the striker continuing his recovering from a cruciate injury in August. Defender Fernando Marcal (calf) is also out.


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