Ante Crnac is back in Norwich City’s starting lineup for a competitive match for the first time in 347 days, headlining the club’s EFL Cup third-round fixture against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium. According to club records and match reports, the 22-year-old Croatian forward makes his first start since October 5, 2025, overcoming a severe knee injury that sidelined him for nearly a year.
The Road Back From an ACL Injury
Crnac’s return marks the end of a grueling rehabilitation process following a severe knee injury sustained early last season. On October 21, 2025, during a 2-1 defeat against Derby County, the forward tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee. The injury required immediate surgery and a lengthy recovery period that wiped out the remainder of his campaign.
The forward returned to competitive action in late August, stepping off the bench in the 61st minute of an EFL Cup tie against Cardiff City. Just 17 minutes after entering the pitch, he scored to secure a 2-1 victory, booking Norwich’s ticket to face Manchester City. While he has since made sporadic substitute appearances in the EFL Championship, manager Philippe Clement has opted to hand him his first start of the season on a high-profile stage.
Tactical Setup and Managerial Choices at the Etihad
Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca enters the tie defending the League Cup trophy won last season. Due to European commitments in the UEFA Champions League, the Premier League side enters the competition directly at the third-round stage. Maresca made ten changes to his starting eleven compared to his side’s previous league fixture, inserting Mateo Kovačić, Rayan Cherki, Rico Lewis, and several young prospects into the lineup.
Norwich arrives in Manchester sitting 12th in the Championship standings, having collected nine points from their opening seven fixtures.
Transfer Context and Career Background
Crnac arrived at Carrow Road in the summer of 2024, completing a transfer from Polish club Raków Częstochowa valued at approximately 11 million euros. The deal established him as one of the most expensive Croatian players to move directly from the Ekstraklasa to English football. Before his spell in Poland, Crnac developed through the youth academy at Dinamo Zagreb and played senior football for Slaven Belupo.
What Comes Next
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