Nico Gonzalez injured shortly into his Man City debut

In England, Nico Gonzalez made his debut for Manchester City in an FA Cup match against Leyton Orient on February 11, 2025. The midfielder, who signed for £49 million from Porto, was expected to play a key role for the team, particularly filling in for the injured Rodri in central midfield. However, his debut took a turn for the worse just 22 minutes into the game when he landed awkwardly following a challenge and appeared to injure his back. Following treatment on the pitch, he was substituted. This left City in a precarious position as they prepared for an upcoming crucial Champions League match against Real Madrid on Tuesday. Despite Gonzalez's injury, Manchester City managed to stage a comeback in the FA Cup fixture, ultimately winning the match 2-1. They were initially stunned when Leyton Orient's Jamie Donley scored a remarkable goal shortly after Gonzalez's departure. City’s Kevin De Bruyne played a crucial role in the comeback, scoring the decisive goal. Meanwhile, Carlo Ancelotti, the Real Madrid manager, raised the stakes for the Champions League tie, predicting that the winner from the clash between City and Madrid would likely go on to lift the trophy. His team has also faced challenges, as injuries have left them with a depleted defense. Both teams are heading into the match with high stakes, not only because of their history but also due to their current form, with Ancelotti expressing respect for Guardiola’s management capabilities.