Manchester City Names Lineup With Haaland on Bench Against AEK

Manchester City will face AEK Athens at the Etihad Stadium with Erling Haaland starting on the bench, according to lineup information published by Sports Yahoo on October 20, 2026. The English club enters the Champions League fixture after winning all its Premier League matches so far this season and will seek to regain its form in European competition.

Manchester City's announced starting lineup features Donnarumma in goal, with Lewis, Rúben Dias, Khusanov and Gvardiol in defense. Enzo Fernández and Anderson are named in midfield, while Cherki, Allan and Foden join Samba in the attacking lineup.

Haaland's place among the substitutes is a notable detail in the selection announced ahead of the match. The published lineup does not specify why the forward is not included in the starting eleven.

AEK Athens will field Brignoli as goalkeeper, supported by Rota, Moukoudi, Relvas and Pilios in defense. Majer, Arriaga, Marin and João Mário are listed in midfield, with Jovic and Varga named in attack.

The fixture at the Etihad Stadium gives Manchester City an opportunity to respond in the Champions League while maintaining its unbeaten winning record across its Premier League matches so far this season. The published team lists identify the selected starters for both clubs ahead of the encounter.