Man City's lineup for the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Newcastle is set, with some strategic decisions made by Pep Guardiola. Despite a strong performance, French playmaker Cherki was substituted off in the second half of the previous match due to a heavy knock. However, he's been deemed fit for the crucial league cup decider, but Guardiola has chosen to rest him, opting instead for Phil Foden's return to the starting lineup. This decision comes after Foden's output has been on a downward trend since December, leading to his recent benchings in City's last three matches. Unfortunately, City's new signing, Marc Guehi, is unable to play due to competition rules, leaving Nathan Ake to fill in at centre-back alongside Abdukodir Khusanov. James Trafford will be between the posts, with Gianluigi Donnarumma on the bench. Looking ahead to the weekend's match against Liverpool, Erling Haaland is rested, and Omar Marmoush will lead the attack for Man City. The confirmed starting XI is: Trafford; Nunes, Khusanov, Ake, Ait-Nouri; Nico, Reijnders, O'Reilly; Semenyo, Foden, Marmoush. The substitutes include Donnarumma, Dias, Haaland, Cherki, Rodri, Nypan, McAidoo, Alleyne, and Lewis.
