Gerónimo Rulli, Allan and Floyd Samba are all handed debuts as City make 10 changes in total for Thursday’s Carabao Cup third round clash at home to Norwich City.

From the side that started last Sunday’s 1-0 Premier League win at Manchester United, Rayan Cherki retains his place in Enzo Maresca’s starting eleven.

Meanwhile Rico Lewis, Abdukodir Khusanov, Ayyoub Bouaddi, Nico O’Reilly, Mateo Kovačić, Rayan Aït-Nouri and Vitor Reis all come into the starting line-up along with the three debutants.

Gianluigi Donnarumma, Elliot Anderson, Marc Guéhi, Iliman Ndiaye, Enzo Fernández, Matheus Nunes and Antoine Semenyo revert to the bench, while Phil Foden is suspended in the wake of his red card at Old Trafford.

For Argentine goalkeeper Rulli and Brazilian winger Allan, who both joined the Club in what was a busy summer transfer window, it’s a first chance to shine with their City bows coming at the Etihad.

Attacking midfielder Samba meanwhile becomes the latest Academy graduate to be afforded a senior first team debut.

It’s an important game too as Maresca’s men set out in defence of the trophy we won last season.

The prize at stake for tonight’s victors is a fourth-round tie at home to Brighton and Hove Albion to be staged next month.

Teams

CITY XI: Rulli, Lewis, Khusanov, Reis, O’Reilly, Bouaddi, Kovačić, Samba, Allan, Aït-Nouri, Cherki

Subs: Donnarumma, Anderson, Guéhi, Ndiaye, Fernández, Nunes, Semenyo, McAidoo, Braithwaite


NORWICH: Grimshaw, Fisher, Alves, Darling, Yongwa, Wright, Field, Crnac, Slimane, Diallo, Kvistgaarden.

Subs: Kovacevic, Stacey, McConville, Chrisene, Mattsson, Maghoma, Schwartau, Musaba, Toure.

Tactics

With Rulli making his City bow, the Argentine will be shielded by a back four of Rulli, Lewis, Khusanov, Reis and O’Reilly

Bouaddi, Kovačić and Samba could be deployed in the engine with Allan, Aït-Nouri and Cherki further forward.

But as ever those tactics could be subject to change such is City’s flexibility!.

First footing

With City having made such a flying start to the season, our first foray into this season’s League Cup represents a perfect stage for our latest debutants to shine.

Rulli and Allan were both recruited during what was an extremely busy summer transfer window.

So far, the pair have had to bide their time in terms of being afforded an opportunity but with the games now coming thick and fast tonight’s latest clash represents an ideal first bow for the pair.

And for attacking midfielder Samba it’s a wonderful showcase his attacking talents.

And with an extremely busy schedule looming after the September international break there’s no doubt the duo will have a key role to looking to the next few months.

Up for the Cup

City will step out tonight launching the defence of the Carabao Cup we won in such fine style last March.

That memorable 2-0 Wembley success against Arsenal represented our ninth League Cup success overall.

As Enzo Maresca pointed out in Wednesday’s pre-match press conference, whatever the competition, City are in it to win it.

And though the boss warned that Norwich would present and tricky test tonight, we can rest assured the Blues will be stretching every sinew as we set out in pursuit of what would be a 10th League Cup success.

Match stats

City have won six of our last seven home games against Norwich City in all competitions (L1), including our last four in a row by an aggregate score of 19-1.

Norwich have been eliminated from all four of their previous EFL Cup ties against City, most recently a 1-0 defeat in the 2007-08 third round.

City have progressed from 12 of their last 13 EFL Cup third round ties, failing only in 2023-24 when they lost 0-1 to Newcastle United.

Norwich have been eliminated from 10 of their last 12 EFL Cup ties against opponents from a higher division, the exceptions coming in the 2016-17 third round (v Everton) and 2018-19 second round (v Cardiff) in this period.

Manchester City have progressed from each of our last 18 EFL Cup ties against lower league opponents since going out on penalties to League One Brighton in the 2008-09 second round.

City v Sunderland: Tickets on general sale!

Don’t miss our Premier League encounter with AFC Sunderland – with tickets on general sale.

Our clash with the Black Cats takes place on Sunday 20 September at the Etihad Stadium with a 14:00 (UK) kick-off.

There’s four tickets available to purchase per supporter as well as three additional spots for Season Ticket Members.

Last time out, we defeated the Wearsiders 3-0 thanks to goals from Ruben Dias, Josko Gvardiol and Phil Foden.

Make sure you secure your spot at the Etihad Stadium as we look for another three points this season.

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