Can Antoine Semenyo Play For Man City Tonight? Check Out The UCL Rules Affecting His Availability.
Manchester City will be without new signing Antoine Semenyo when they face Bodo/Glimt on Tuesday night, with UEFA registration rules ruling the Ghanaian out of the crucial Champions League encounter.
Despite completing his big-money move to the Etihad on January 9, Semenyo was not included in City’s original Champions League squad list submitted back in September.
Under UEFA regulations, clubs are unable to register January signings for European competition until the knockout stages, meaning the forward must wait until February before making his Champions League debut for Pep Guardiola’s side.
Registration Rules Block Immediate European Debut
City named a 23-man List A squad earlier in the season, which already included summer arrivals such as Gianluigi Donnarumma and Tijjani Reijnders.
With no free slots available, Semenyo cannot be added until UEFA’s mandatory squad update window opens ahead of the round of 16.
As a result, the £62.5 million signing will be forced to watch from the sidelines as City navigate the final two fixtures of the league phase.
Club officials expect him to be formally registered once the January transfer window closes and updated squad lists are submitted.
Fast Start in Domestic Competitions
Although unavailable in Europe, Antoine Semenyo has wasted no time making his presence felt on the domestic front.
The Ghana international joined City from Bournemouth on a five-and-a-half-year contract and has already impressed, scoring in each of his first two appearances for the club.
His impact was particularly eye-catching in the FA Cup, where he was cleared to play and marked his debut by finding the net in City’s emphatic 10–1 win over Exeter City.
Antoine Semenyo was also available for the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg against Newcastle, despite having already featured in the competition earlier this season with Bournemouth.
Domestic Rule Change Benefits City
That availability was made possible by a recent EFL rule change, which allows players to represent two different clubs in the League Cup during the same season.
The relaxed regulation has given Guardiola added flexibility in domestic competitions — a luxury not currently extended to UEFA tournaments.
Unfortunately for City, those domestic “cup-tied” rule adjustments do not apply to the Champions League’s league phase, leaving Semenyo sidelined for now.
Guardiola Forced to Shuffle His Attack
With Antoine Semenyo unavailable, Guardiola is expected to rely on familiar faces to provide attacking thrust from wide areas.
Jeremy Doku, Rayan Cherki, and Phil Foden are all in contention to start as City look to respond quickly following their surprise 2–0 defeat in the Manchester derby last weekend.
That loss has increased the pressure on City to deliver a strong European performance, especially with their current position in the table offering little margin for error.
Bodo/Glimt Sense Opportunity
Bodo/Glimt will be hoping to take advantage of Semenyo’s absence when they welcome City to the intimidating Aspmyra Stadion.
The Norwegian champions are well aware of the threat posed by City’s star-studded squad, but the lack of the in-form winger could offer them a slight edge.
City currently sit fourth in the group phase, making the trip to Norway a must-win encounter. With Semenyo watching on, Guardiola will once again need his experienced European campaigners to step up and deliver the three points.
For Antoine Semenyo, the wait continues — but if his explosive domestic start is anything to go by, City fans won’t have long to wait before seeing him light up the Champions League stage.
City remain confident their depth and experience will see them through, even without Semenyo, as European qualification remains firmly within their control this season.
