Nunes declares himself fully fit as Porto clash looms
Matheus Nunes has declared himself fully fit ahead of Manchester City's opening Champions League league phase fixture against FC Porto tomorrow night. The Portuguese international has been managing a minor ankle issue that disrupted the start of his season.
The knock came at the worst possible time, the day before the FA Community Shield meeting with Arsenal. A tackle left him sore for a while, ruling him out of that fixture and delaying his involvement in the early weeks of the campaign.
“I am good. I am 100% now.”
Nunes told the media today, adding: “My injury was my ankle the day before Arsenal. I had a tackle and it was sore for a while but now I am fine.”
His absence has been felt. Nunes has only made one appearance off the bench in City's first three Premier League games, a half-hour run-out in the 2-1 comeback win over Bournemouth. Even in that short spell, he made a vital contribution to turning the game around.
In his place, Abdukodir Khusanov has slotted in on the right of the defence. The Uzbek has nominally played at right-back but has operated more as the right-sided centre-back in a back three, where his recovery pace is crucial to how City play. He hasn't been at his best so far this season, with his positioning and overall defensive awareness slightly off.
Nunes, by contrast, has firmly established himself as City's first-choice right-back. Enzo Maresca's system differs from Pep Guardiola's, but the importance of Nunes hasn't changed. His return to full fitness is a boost for the side, and he appears to be in contention to start against Porto.
Whether Maresca opts to throw him straight back in for the European opener or eases him in from the bench remains to be seen. Either way, having the Portuguese available again gives City a welcome option on the right side of defence.