Manchester City Faces FC Porto in Champions League Without Doku and O'Reilly

Manchester City will launch their UEFA Champions League campaign at the Estádio do Dragão on Tuesday night knowing they are already two bodies light.

Enzo Maresca’s side, handed a demanding draw in the new league phase, travel to face FC Porto without Jeremy Doku and Nico O’Reilly, both ruled out before a ball is kicked in Europe this season.

Doku still sidelined

The warning signs came in City’s open training session earlier today. As the squad went through their final preparations, two names were conspicuously missing from the group: Doku and O’Reilly.

Doku has not featured since suffering a calf injury against Arsenal in the FA Community Shield three weeks ago. The winger, whose direct running and one‑v‑one threat would have been a valuable outlet in Porto’s intimidating home arena, remains sidelined as he continues his recovery.

For Maresca, it removes a key option in the wide areas on a night when pace on the break could prove decisive.

Fresh blow for O’Reilly

O’Reilly’s issue is more recent. The youngster picked up a back injury during the warm-up before City’s 1–0 win over Coventry City on Saturday. He played no part in that game and has not recovered in time to make the trip to Portugal.

What began as a late disruption to domestic preparations has now bled into Europe, trimming Maresca’s midfield and attacking flexibility just as the schedule starts to tighten.

Squad confirmed, doubts removed

Any lingering hope of a late turnaround disappeared when City announced their travelling squad for the Porto clash. Doku and O’Reilly were both absent from the list, confirming they will play no part under the lights at the Dragão.

For a team staring at a tough league-phase path, the margins already look thin. City will have to navigate their first European test of the season without two of their attacking options, in a stadium that rarely forgives hesitation.