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Enzo Fernandez Forced Into Man City Starting Line-Up Minutes Before Kick-Off Against Coventry City

City Xtra · Freddie Pye · 2026-09-05T14:32:55+00:00 · nguồn gốc

Enzo Maresca was forced to make a late change to his Manchester City starting line-up against Coventry City on Saturday afternoon owing to an injury during the warm-ups. Manchester City welcome Coventry City to the Etihad Stadium in the club's first meeting against any of the three newly-promoted sides from last season's EFL Championship campaign, with Frank Lampard's side in search of their first points of 2026/27. Losing 3-0 on the opening matchweek against the reigning Premier League champions Arsenal, Coventry would then stumble to a narrow 0-1 defeat at home against expected relegation rivals Hull. With several new summer signings in the Manchester City squad against Coventry on Saturday, Iliman Ndiaye would be handed his full debut for the club from the off upon the unveiling of the starting line-ups at 13:45 BST. However, an enforced change emerged ahead of kick-off with Ndiaye's fellow deadline day signing Enzo Fernandez also placed into the line-up for his full debut at the Etihad Stadium. Fernandez starts against Coventry after late change Despite originally being named among the substitutes against Coventry on Saturday, Enzo Maresca was forced to draft in Fernandez for his full Manchester City debut with just minutes until kick-off at the Etihad Stadium. Owing to an injury during the warm-ups sustained by Nico O'Reilly, the England international dropped out of the matchday squad enabling Fernandez to come into the side days after his £125 million move from Chelsea on transfer deadline day. How do Man City now line-up against Coventry? Gianluigi Donnarumma takes his usual place between the sticks as Manchester City's starting No.1 choice goalkeeper, with a usual defensive four in front of the Italian international shot-stopper. Abdukodir Khusanov takes his place at right-back, with club captain Ruben Dias partnered by Marc Guehi, whilst Josko Gvardiol continues to start as the club's leading left-back in the opening weeks of the campaign. In front of the defensive line is a midfield three, as Enzo Fernandez and Elliot Anderson interchange between the No.8 and No.6 roles, as Rayan Cherki operates as the creative spark in-behind Erling Haaland. Either side of the Norwegian international is Iliman Ndiaye - making his debut for the club from the left-wing position - and Antoine Semenyo, taking up a role on the right-hand side of the attacking trio. Following the clash with Coventry City, Manchester City turn full attentions to the UEFA Champions League as they open their league phase competition with a meeting against Portuguese giants FC Porto away from home on matchday one.