Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola says he is not optimistic that Jack Grealish and Manuel Akanji will recover in time for the second leg of their Champions League playoff round tie against Real Madrid next week.
Both players was forced off with injuries during the 3-2 defeat to the European champions on Tuesday night. Asked about their fitness following the game, Guardiola replied:
“I don’t know yet, but if they have gone out for muscular reasons, maybe they will not be there [in Madrid].”
Fans on X are not happy about the news but some don’t believe City stood much of a chance against Real even with them in the lineup:
Just end the season now.
— ski ⚓️ (@ski529) February 11, 2025
Even with them, it’s not like we are gonna win at the Bernabeu.
Cows are unfortunately not flying.
Just send the eds at this point, it’ll be a great day out for the boys
— Real Treble ²³ (@GundoganSZN) February 11, 2025
Story of the season everyone is a crock.
— City Mick 🇧🇼 (@City__Mick) February 11, 2025
Why? Do we still hope for round 16??? Let’s be realistic we are already out, next season hopefully if we get top 4.
— Lucky (@Lucky35044177) February 12, 2025
Great we are out
Congrarts Pep your insistence on ur small squad and Rico Lewis is punishing you and the rest of the team— Nick Yeung (@yeung_nick) February 12, 2025
What difference does it make? We’re done. And anyone saying, it’s not over until it’s over and believe in the team, you’re deluded… Start preparing for the FA Cup.
— Trilo (@Trilo_10) February 12, 2025
It’s a big week for City
Guardiola’s men take on Newcastle this weekend, and with a fixture against league leaders Liverpool coming up after the game at the Bernabeu, Grealish and Akanji could miss some crucial matches.
The Cityzens haven’t had a lot of luck with injuries this season and that run of misfortune looks set to continue.
A Manchester City injury update
Grealish and Akanji are not the only first-team players currently on the sidelines. While Oscar Bobb has recovered from the fractured leg he sustained in preseason, the Norwegian has yet to return to the matchday squad.
Rodri, meanwhile, is expected to miss the rest of the campaign with the ACL injury he picked up against Arsenal back in September.
Read our exclusive interview with Shaun Wright-Phillips. He talks about why City should still make the top 4 this season.
#Season #Gonna #Win #City #Fans #React #Double #Injury #Blow
