How Man City should line up vs Sevilla in Champions League

Manchester City could be forced into a defensive reshuffle against Sevilla if Kyle Walker hasn't recovered from his injury at Aston Villa at the weekend.

City face Sevilla at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan Stadium to open their Champions League campaign having fallen at the semi-final stage last season. The Blues were held at Aston Villa on Saturday to remain second in the Premier League as their unbeaten start to the season continues.

However, Walker limped off and didn't train on Monday, although Kalvin Phillips, Jack Grealish and Nathan Ake all trained and may be ready to return from injury. New signing Manuel Akanji was absent at Villa Park after the birth of his child, and could make his debut in Spain — especially with John Stones not travelling.

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Read how our writers think City should line up at Sevilla below and use the interactive team selector to pick your best starting XI:

Simon Bajkowski

With Walker absent, Sergio Gomez deserves the chance to test himself. City have bought him instead of shelling out for a more expensive left-back because they think he is ready, so the opening game of a Champions League campaign (with five more group games to recover if anything goes wrong) is an ideal opportunity for him to show what he can do.

Nathan Ake returned at Villa and he could partner Ruben Dias with John Stones missing the trip as well. There is also Manuel Akanji, although he has not played all season and has only had a few training sessions with the Blues.

Riyad Mahrez will have been disappointed not to start again at Villa and there was also a clamour to see Julian Alvarez after his two goals at Nottingham Forest. It is worth starting Haaland because of his