Manchester City will need to rethink their attacking setup for Sunday's Premier League clash with Bournemouth after losing a key attacking option to injury. Reports from the Belgian press suggest a calf problem will keep the wide man out for several weeks, forcing changes to the front four.
Despite the setback, Erling Haaland is expected to retain his customary central striking role, leading the line as usual. The main reshuffle will come in the three positions behind him. Phil Foden, who operated as the No.10 in City's last outing, is set to shift to the right flank for this fixture. That switch pushes Antoine Semenyo across to the left wing, while creating an opening in the middle for Rayan Cherki to step into the No.10 role.
Beyond that attacking reorganization, the rest of the squad is expected to remain largely settled, though three players will be unavailable for reasons related to ongoing transfer business. Savinho and Omar Marmoush are both absent as they edge closer to completing moves to Tottenham, while Rodri will also sit out following the confirmation of his transfer to Barcelona earlier in the week.
In goal, Gianluigi Donnarumma is expected to continue despite a shaky display in City's previous match against Arsenal. He is set to be protected by an unchanged back line featuring Abdukodir Khusanov, Ruben Dias, Josko Gvardiol and Nico O'Reilly.
In midfield, Mateo Kovacic looked sharp during the Community Shield outing and should retain his place, partnered by Elliot Anderson, who will be eager to make a stronger impression after a quiet full debut for the club.
One player whose involvement remains uncertain is Jack Grealish, whose future at the club is still unresolved. He made a positive impact after coming on for the injured winger in the previous match, but it is unclear whether he currently features in the club's plans going forward.
Based on the expected changes, City's likely starting lineup in a 4-2-3-1 formation reads: Donnarumma; Khusanov, Dias, Gvardiol, O'Reilly; Kovacic, Anderson; Foden, Cherki, Semenyo; Haaland.
Alongside the winger's calf issue, Nunes remains another absentee for the squad heading into the weekend.
The match kicks off at 2pm BST on Sunday, August 23 at the Etihad Stadium, with live coverage provided by Sky Sports. City will be looking to build early-season momentum against a Bournemouth side that will provide a stern early test, even as the champions continue to navigate a summer of significant squad turnover, with departures involving Rodri, Savinho and Marmoush reshaping the group even before the transfer window closes.
The absence of the injured winger is a particular blow given his importance to the side's width and directness in recent seasons, and his replacement in the ranks will be watched closely as City manage the balance of their attacking options across the coming weeks. With Cherki handed a central creative role and Foden shifted wide, the front line will look notably different from the shape used against Arsenal, giving supporters a first glimpse of how the team might adapt without one of its most dynamic attacking threats.
Based on reporting from Standard Sport (football).