Manchester City are expected to be without defender Manuel Akanji for eight to 10 weeks due to a muscle injury that will require surgery.
The Switzerland centre-back was replaced at halftime of City’s 3-2 Champions League defeat by Real Madrid at Etihad Stadium on Tuesday.
Akanji’s injury is a major blow to Manchester City’s chances of qualifying for the Champions League ahead of their tough fixture schedule with clashes against Newcastle United and Liverpool to follow in the Premier League.
They also have a Champions League clash against Real Madrid on Wednesday.
Guardiola confirmed that Akanji is set to undergo surgery that will rule him out of action for 10 weeks.
He said, “He will have surgery on Saturday and be eight to 10 weeks out. It’s an adductor (groin) injury. I just wish him a speedy recovery because the effort he has put in this season has been unbelievable.
“There has been a lack of players in that position and his body has said enough is enough.”
Guardiola’s men are fifth on 41 points after 24 games, two points behind fourth-placed Chelsea, while Eddie Howe’s side, winners of 12 of their last 14 games across all competitions, are level with City on points in sixth.
City suffered another late-game collapse against Real Madrid on Tuesday, conceding in the 86th and 92nd minutes to leave their Champions League campaign hanging by a thread.
Manchester City suffered a late 3-2 loss to Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League playoff. Guardiola has revealed that the team has moved on from the defeat.
He said, “We’ve recovered and moved forward. The next hours and days after are difficult. But they have to be better.”
The Spanish manager admitted that City has struggled to keep possession in recent matches.
He said, “It’s not one subject; if it were, then it would be easy to solve it.
“We have always been so comfortable with the ball and we are now not so. You then have to rely on a physical presence and our physicality is not like other teams.
“Every time that we get a result, the mood is better in everyone, but this season has been like it has been and we have to try to get results more often.”
New signing Nico Gonzalez could be in contention to face Newcastle on Saturday after picking up a knock against Leyton Orient.
Man City Suffer Injury Setback As Akanji Faces 10 Weeks Out is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
Source: The Whistler
