Abduqodir Husanov, who demonstrated active, reliable, and consistent performances during the first half of the current season, has been sidelined from the main squad following two consecutive injuries. This situation has negatively impacted the Uzbek footballer’s match practice, and he has recently been regularly sitting on the bench.
Under the leadership of Pep Guardiola, Husanov has been unable to secure a place in the main lineup for both the UEFA Champions League and the English Premier League at Manchester City. However, the situation could change in the coming days.
On the night of December 17-18, at 00:30 Tashkent time, Manchester City will face Brentford in the English League Cup. The match, which will take place at the Etihad Stadium, will determine who progresses to the semifinals and has already generated significant interest among fans.
According to British outlet sportsmole.co.uk, experts predict that Pep Guardiola is likely to make substantial changes to the squad for this match. Journalists suggest that the City manager might field players who have seen limited action recently, giving them the opportunity to prove their capabilities.
It has been noted that in recent weeks, City has mostly played with a stable lineup, which has resulted in five consecutive victories across all competitions. The latest success was a 3-0 away win against Crystal Palace in the Premier League, allowing the team to maintain its second-place position in the league standings.
However, of the players who participated in the match at Selhurst Park, only five are expected to feature in the game against Brentford. This is due to squad-related issues within the team.
Rodri (hamstring injury) and Mateo Kovacic (ankle injury) are sidelined, creating a noticeable shortage in midfield. As a result, much of the responsibility in midfield has fallen on Niko Gonzalez throughout the season. Experts suggest that the time has come to give the Spanish footballer a rest.
It is anticipated that Tijani Reijnders and Bernardo Silva will occupy the central midfield positions, with the attacking midfielder Rayan Cherki playing just ahead of them. On the wings, Jeremy Doku’s participation is doubtful due to an injury, but Oscar Bobb or Savinho could step up to fill his role.
The defense line is also expected to see significant rotation. Nathan Ake, Abduqodir Husanov, Rico Lewis, and second-choice goalkeeper James Trafford may have the opportunity to showcase their skills. For Husanov, this could be a critical moment to regain his position in the squad.
According to SPORTSMOLE.CO.UK, Manchester City’s potential lineup against Brentford is as follows:
Goalkeeper: James Trafford
Defenders: Rico Lewis, Abduqodir Husanov, Nathan Ake, Nico O’Reilly
Midfielders: Tijani Reijnders, Bernardo Silva, Oscar Bobb, Rayan Cherki, Savinho
Forward: Erling Haaland
This match has also attracted particular interest among Uzbek football fans, as Abduqodir Husanov's return to the main lineup is not only significant for his personal career but also holds importance for the reputation of Uzbek football on the international stage.
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