Manchester City Faces Key Absences in UEFA Champions League Opener

Manchester City will launch their UEFA Champions League campaign at the Estádio do Dragão tomorrow night without Jeremy Doku and Nico O'Reilly, stripping Enzo Maresca of two attacking options before a ball has even been kicked.

City’s first step into the new league-phase format already looked awkward on paper. FC Porto away is rarely gentle. Now it comes with confirmed absences that sharpen the sense of jeopardy.

Doku still out after Community Shield blow

An open training session earlier today at City’s base told the story before the squad list made it official. As the main group went through their final preparations, two names were missing: Jeremy Doku and Nico O'Reilly.

Doku has not featured since suffering a calf injury against Arsenal in the FA Community Shield three weeks ago. The winger, whose direct running and one‑v‑one threat would have been a natural weapon against Porto, remains sidelined as he continues his recovery.

There was no late twist, no surprise inclusion. When the travelling squad for Portugal was announced, Doku’s name was absent, confirming he will play no part in tomorrow night’s opener.

Fresh setback for O'Reilly

O'Reilly’s issue is more recent. The youngster picked up a back injury in the warm-up before City’s 1-0 win over Coventry City on Saturday. He missed that game, and any faint hope of a rapid turnaround vanished when he also failed to appear at training today.

His omission from the travelling party underlined the diagnosis: O'Reilly will not be available at the Estádio do Dragão.

So Maresca heads into a tricky European night without Doku’s explosiveness and O'Reilly’s versatility. The stage is set, the stakes are clear. Now City must find a way to navigate Porto’s cauldron with a reshuffled hand.