Manager Pep Guardiola stated on Friday, another blow to his injury-torn team, Manchester City would be without defender Manuel Akanji for eight to ten weeks owing to a muscular problem requiring surgery.
Halfway through City’s 3-2 Champions League loss to Real Madrid at Etihad Stadium on Tuesday, the Switzerland centre defender was substituted.
His injury layoff falls during a demanding run of games including Premier League games against Newcastle United on Saturday and league leaders Liverpool on February 23 as well as the second leg of their Champions League playoff against Madrid on Wednesday.
“He will be having surgery on Saturday eight to ten weeks out. Guardiola remarked, “An adductor (groin) injury. I simply wish he recovers quickly since he has done quite remarkable effort this season.”
“His body has said enough is enough; the position has been lacking in players.”
Given both clubs vying for a top-four finish and a Champions League berth next season, Newcastle’s journey to the Etihad might be a key game.
Eddie Howe’s team, winners of 12 of their past 14 games across all competitions, are level with City on points in sixth; Guardiola’s men are fifth on 41 points after 24 games, two points behind fourth-placed Chelsea.
Tuesday’s late-game meltdown against Real Madrid saw Manchester City concede in the 86th and 92nd minutes, so endangering their Champions League season on a thread.
“We’ve recovered and move forward,” Guardiola stated, when asked how difficult it is to constantly lift his squad up following a bad performance. “The next hours and day are challenging. Still, they must be improved.”
Although Guardiola acknowledged his squad has lately made “some steps backwards,” Newcastle has not outperformed City in a league game since a 2-1 victory in 2019.
Asked to identify the team’s challenges, he responded: “It’s not one subject, if it were then it would be easy to address it.
“We used to be somewhat at ease with the ball; now, we are not. You then have to rely on a physical presence since our physicality is different from other teams.
“Every time we obtain 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.”
Following his forced off in their game against Real Madrid, Pep Guardiola is most likely without Jack Grealish on Saturday.
“Not as nasty as Akanji,” he remarked. “We will evaluate him in the next hours; I’m not sure whether he will be ready tomorrow, though.”
