Injured Rodri named in Manchester City's squad for UEFA Champions League knockouts as new signing Vitor Reis misses out

React to this story

Rodri could yet feature for Manchester City in this season's UEFA Champions League after being named in their squad for the knockout phase of the competition. Despite tearing his ACL in September, Rodri is amongst the players named by manager Pep Guardiola. City only just snuck into the knockout phase play-offs, where they will face Real Madrid. The first leg takes place on Tuesday, February 11.

Highlights: Huge relief for City as victory over Club Brugge seals progression

Video credit: TNT Sports

Injured midfielder Rodri is a surprise inclusion in Manchester City's squad for the UEFA Champions League knockout phase, while January signing Vitor Reis is absent.

Rodri, the 2024 Ballon d'Or winner, has not played since tearing his ACL in a 2-2 draw with Arsenal in September.

January recruits Omar Marmoush, Nico Gonzalez and Abdukodir Khusanov have been added to Pep Guardiola’s European squad.

Champions League

Tchouameni defends Alonso, says squad 'have to do a better job'

09/12/2025 at 15:18

City face Real Madrid in the knockout phase play-offs, with the first leg at Etihad Stadium on February 11 and the second leg on February 19 - both live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

Could Rodri return sooner than expected?

When Rodri suffered an ACL injury in September, it appeared that he wouldn't play again this season.

"Next season he will be here, this season is over," said City boss Guardiola at the time.

However, there now appears some cautious optimism that Rodri could still play a part in the current campaign.

Rodri travelled with the City squad to their penultimate Champions League league phase match against Paris Saint-Germain, and has been at Etihad Stadium to watch domestic games.

"He's positive, but I don’t know, to be honest. An ACL is an ACL," said Guardiola about Rodri recently.

"Always I believe in long injuries there’s a time you must respect because of the human body. The ACL is the ACL for every football player and every athlete so there is a time.

"You’re not a teenager anymore but still you have years to play. And it’s going to happen if you recover well.

"If you can be back for one week, one month and [take a] step back for next season it’s not intelligent.

"Of course, he’d love to play tomorrow - I know that. But the body is the body, and recovery needs its own time. It’s going really well and he feels really good, but step by step we will see."

Why have City left Reis out of squad?

Manchester City were the Premier League’s biggest spenders in the January transfer window as they splashed a reported £180 million on Abdukodir Khusanov, Omar Marmoush, Nico Gonzalez and Vitor Reis.

However, UEFA Champions League rules only allow clubs to register a maximum of three new players after the completion of the league phase and before the start of the knockout phase.

City therefore had to choose three of their four new signings to register before the deadline on Thursday, February 6.

Khusanov, Marmoush and Gonzalez will all be available for the play-off match against Real Madrid, while Reis will only be available for the Premier League and FA Cup.

Vitor Reis of Manchester City

Image credit: Getty Images

When are the Champions League play-offs, last 16 matches and other knockout ties?

The eight two-legged Champions League play-off ties will take place on February 11/12, and February 18/19.

All the action will be live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

The play-off ties are followed by the last-16 matches on March 4/5 and 11/12.

The quarter-finals are on April 8/9 and 15/16, the semi-finals on April 29/30 and May 6/7, and the final in Munich is on May 31.

Man City squad for Champions League knockouts

Goalkeepers

Ederson, Stefan Ortega Moreno, Scott Carson

Defenders

Manuel Akanji, Nathan Ake, Ruben Dias, John Stones, Abdukodir Khusanov, Josko Gvardiol

Midfielders

Nico, Ilkay Gundogan, Jack Grealish, Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo, Rodri, Mateo Kovacic, Matheus Nunes, James McAtee, Phil Foden, Jeremy Doku, Savinho

Forwards

Erling Haaland, Omar Marmoush

B-list players

Oscar Bobb, Max Alleyne, Rico Lewis, Nico O’Reilly

---

Stream the Premier League, UEFA Champions League and much more live on TNT Sports and discovery+

Football

Xavi and Guardiola linked to shock new job - but there's a huge twist

26/07/2025 at 19:59

Transfers

Isak open to Al Hilal move as Newcastle set €130m price tag - Euro Transfer News

21/07/2025 at 19:09