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Man City Handed Nico O'Reilly Injury Concern After Late Enzo Fernandez Change
Enzo Fernández made an unexpected full debut after Nico O’Reilly was injured in warm-up, and Erling Haaland scored the winner in a 1-0 victory, City said.
On Saturday, Enzo Fernandez made his Manchester City debut, replacing Nico O'Reilly in the starting lineup against Coventry City after O'Reilly suffered a back injury during the warm-up at Etihad Stadium.
O'Reilly, the 21-year-old who won the PFA Young Player of the Year award last season, felt something in his back during warm-ups and was deemed unable to compete by manager Enzo Maresca.
Fernandez, who joined from Chelsea for £125m on deadline day, played 75 minutes in his debut, linking effectively with Rayan Cherki. Erling Haaland's 26th-minute header secured the 1-0 victory.
Manager Maresca praised the 25-year-old's composure, saying, "It is much more easy with a player that you already share time together because they know exactly what you want." He backed Fernandez to be crucial this season.
City faces Champions League action against Porto on Tuesday before traveling to Old Trafford for the Manchester derby on Sunday, September 13. O'Reilly remains a significant doubt for both fixtures.