Manchester City confirm 22-man travelling squad to face RB Leipzig in Champions League last-16 first-leg clash

Manchester City have announced their 22-man travelling squad to face RB Leipzig in the first-leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Wednesday night.

The Premier League champions will be hoping that a temporary change of competition is the perfect distraction to get their standards back to their usual astronomical heights, especially following a dampener on the weekend.

Bernardo Silva’s first-half strike away to Nottingham Forest in the Premier League had set the Champions on their way to a crucial three points on the road. But after missed opportunities and poor defensive work, a late Chris Wood equaliser cost City dearly.

Bundesliga high-flyers RB Leipzig are Manchester City’s next opponents, in the first-leg of their Champions League last-16 tie, with Pep Guardiola and his players once again focussed on bringing home Europe’s top prize for the first time in the club’s history.

City have a 50% win record against the Red Bull club so far, after facing Leipzig for the first time last season in two Champions League group stage contests – winning the home tie 6-3, before falling on the final matchday of the group through a disappointing 2-1 defeat.

Ahead of the latest meeting between the two clubs this week, Manchester City have now confirmed their travelling squad list to make the journey to Germany this week.

Goalkeepers: Ederson, Ortega Moreno, Carson.

Defenders: Walker, Lewis, Akanji, Dias, Ake, Gomez.

Midfielders: Rodri, Phillips, Charles, Robertson, Perrone, Gundogan, Bernardo.

Forwards: Palmer, Mahrez, Alvarez, Haaland, Grealish, Foden.

John Stones remains absent from the Manchester City squad as he continues to recover from a muscular injury sustained during last month’s 1-0 win over Arsenal in the FA Cup fourth round at the Etihad Stadium.

In fresh concerns, both Aymeric Laporte and Kevin De Bruyne are not included in the squad list. That comes after both players also missed first-team training earlier on Tuesday.

Pep Guardiola is set to address the media at 17:45 (UK) from the Red Bull Arena, providing his full thoughts ahead of the game and the latest on the fitness of his squad. The City boss will be joined by central defender Nathan Ake.