Erling Haaland got back on the goal trail to give Manchester City an early 1-0 lead in their crunch Champions League clash with Galatasaray.

City appeared to be cruising directly through to the Round of 16 after an impressive December win at Real Madrid, but last weekend’s shocking 3-1 defeat at Bodo/Glimt left them as one of an astonishing eight sides locked together on 13 points.

LIVE: Updated UCL standings as teams battle to qualify for knockout phase

It means only victory will suffice for Guardiola’s men, as they wrap up a difficult January that has been compounded by a weighty list of defensive injuries.

Haaland had just one goal — a penalty against Brighton & Hove Albion — in his past nine appearances across all competitions heading into Wednesday’s game and wasted a glorious headed chance from Rayan Ait-Nouri’s third-minute cross.

But he made amends shortly afterwards when Jeremy Doku bypassed Galatasaray’s high line with a sumptuous through ball and Haaland coolly dinked over visiting goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakir.

MORE: Why Bodo/Glimt humiliation might be City’s worst moment under Pep Guardiola

Man City vs. Galatasaray score

Venue: Etihad Stadium, Manchester (UK)
Referee: Alejandro Hernandez (Spain)

Champions League qualification race: As it stands

Follow the live standings as the final round of league-phase matches unfolds.

Man City vs. Galatasaray talking points, analysis

Match analysis live from the Etihad Stadium will appear here.

Man City vs. Galatasaray lineups, team news

Erling Haaland returns to the City line-up after being benched for the 2-0 win over Wolves. He joins Omar Marmoush in attack after the Egypt forward’s goalscoring contribution at the weekend. 

Phil Foden remains among the substitutes and Nico Gonzalez is only fit enough for a place on the bench. That means Nico O’Reilly joins Bernardo Silva in central midfield and Rayan Ait-Nouri starts outside Nathan Ake at left-back.

Rodri is suspended following his red card at Bodo/Glimt.

Man City starting XI (4-2-2-2 right to left): Donnarumma (GK) — Nunes, Khusanov, Ake, Ait-Nouri — Silva, O’Reilly— Cherki, Doku — Haaland, Marmoush

Man City subs: Trafford (GK), Bettinelli (GK), Reijnders, Nico, Foden, Gray, Mukasa, Alleyne, Lewis, Mfuni

Victor Osimhen leads the line for Galatasaray, ensuring this will be a battle of the star strikers. 

Ilkay Gundogan captains the visitors on his return to the Etihad Stadium, while Leroy Sane also starts against his former club.

Galatasaray starting XI (3-4-2-1, right to left): Ugurcan Cakir (GK) — Sallai, Sanchez, Abdulkerim Bardakci, Jakobs — Gabriel Sara, Lemina — Baris Alper Yilmaz, Gundogan, Sane — Osimhen

Galatasaray subs: Batuhan Sen (GK), Gunay Guvenc (GK), Singo, Icardi, Torreira, Eyup Karasu, Yusuf Kahraman, Kaan Ayhan, Furkan Kocak, Yunus Akgun. Eren Elmali, Ahmed Kutucu

Manager reaction from Man City vs. Galarasaray

Reaction from Pep Guardiola and Okan Buruk will appear here after the match

Next games for Man City vs. Galarasaray

Manchester City return to Premier League action with a trip to Tottenham on Sunday, February 1.

On the same day, Galatasaray host Kayserispor in the Turkish Super Lig.