Manchester City will assess their attacking selection for Tuesday's Champions League game against AEK Athens after manager Enzo Maresca reported Erling Haaland as doubtful and confirmed that newly signed Jeremie Semenyo will not be available.
The uncertainty over Haaland's fitness removes a clear focal point from City's forward line heading into the fixture. The Norwegian striker has been a defining presence for the club since his arrival, and his potential absence forces Maresca to consider adjustments to both personnel and shape to maintain attacking threat.
With Semenyo unavailable, City lose an option they had hoped could provide fresh attacking energy and depth. The absence of a recently integrated signing complicates rotation plans and limits the manager’s ability to refresh his front line without drawing on more established squad members.
Maresca's alternatives are likely to be tactical as much as personnel-based. He can deploy a different central striker or ask a wide attacker to operate through the middle, switch to a false nine system, or rely on a mix of attackers working in tandem. The manager may also turn to experienced forwards and creative midfielders who can support the attack in Haaland’s stead.
Champions League group-stage fixtures bring added pressure to secure points, and Maresca must balance the immediate need for a positive result with squad management, particularly with domestic fixtures looming. The final team selection is expected to be made after training sessions and late fitness checks ahead of the match, leaving supporters to wait for confirmation of how City will line up against AEK Athens.