Man City Hit by Injury Blow Before UCL Playoff

On Friday, manager Pep Guardiola said that Manuel Akanji will miss eight to 10 weeks due to a muscle issue that will require surgery, further hurting his injury-plagued club. The Switzerland centre back was substituted at halftime of City’s 3-2 Champions League loss to Real Madrid at Etihad Stadium on Tuesday.

His injury layoff comes amid a tough sequence of games that includes Premier League meetings against Newcastle United on Saturday, league leaders Liverpool on February 23, and the Champions League playoff second leg against Madrid on Wednesday. He’ll have surgery on Saturday and be out 8-10 weeks. Guardiola claimed it’s an adductor ailment. “I wish him a swift recovery because he worked so hard this season.

“There has been a lack of players in that position and his body has said enough is enough.”

Newcastle’s trip

Newcastle’s trip to the Etihad might be crucial as both teams struggle to finish in the top four and qualify for the Champions League. Guardiola’s team is fifth with 41 points after 24 games, two points behind fourth-placed Chelsea, while Eddie Howe’s team, winners of 12 of their past 14 games, is tied with City in sixth.

Manchester City lost to Real Madrid in the 86th and 92nd minutes on Tuesday, endangering their Champions League season.

“We’ve recovered and move forward,” Guardiola remarked when asked how hard it is to motivate his team after a loss. “The following hours and day are hard. But they must improve.”

Newcastle has not defeated City in a league game since a 2019 2-1 win, but Guardiola admitted his squad has taken “some steps backwards” recently. When asked about the team’s issues, he said: “If it were one thing, it would be easy to fix.

We used to feel so comfortable with the ball, but not anymore. You then need a physical presence, and ours is different from 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.”

Jack Grealish was substituted in their match against Real Madrid, so Pep Guardiola may be without him on Saturday.

“Not as bad as Akanji,” he remarked. “I don’t know if he will be ready tomorrow, I don’t think he will be, but we will assess him in the next hours.”