Over the weekend, as his teammates celebrated a 6-1 victory over Bournemouth, the Norway international was sidelined with a torn ankle in the first half and was unable to participate in the second half.

Guardiola has not yet ruled Haaland out of the match against the Swiss champions; however, the Catalan coach should utilize this opportunity to rest his marksman in preparation for an upcoming Premier League showdown with Chelsea.

The holders may therefore be without three players; Kevin De Bruyne is also recovering from a severe hamstring injury, and Sergio Gomez was observed using crutches over the weekend after sustaining an unspecified injury in training.

In the event that Haaland is unavailable, Julian Alvarez will likely start in the starting lineup for City, presumably accompanied by Phil Foden and Jeremy Doku, the latter of whom dominated Bournemouth with a solitary goal and four assists over the weekend.

Although Foden may be called back, there appears to be continued flexibility for Jack Grealish to return to the left flank, whereas Kyle Walker’s position on the right flank appears to be beyond dispute.

Two weeks after being selected in the midfield against Young Boys, Matheus Nunes is another well-rested alternative to Rico Lewis, who could be given another chance to impress alongside Rodri in that position.

Although neither Ruben Dias nor Josko Gvardiol were observed in action over the weekend, the two could now join Manuel Akanji, a Swiss native, in Ederson’s formidable shield’s three-man rearguard.

Manchester City possible starting lineup: Ederson; Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol; Walker, Rodri, Lewis, Grealish; Doku, Alvarez, Foden.