Akanji, a Man City defender, will have surgery and be out for a long time

Manager Pep Guardiola said on Friday that Manchester City’s injury-plagued club will be without defender Manuel Akanji for eight to ten weeks owing to a muscle issue that would require surgery.

Real Madrid defeated City 3-2 in the Champions League on Tuesday at Etihad Stadium, and the Switzerland center back was substituted at halftime.

A difficult 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, coincides with his injury absence.

After surgery on Saturday, he will be away for eight to ten weeks. Guardiola described the ailment as an adductor (groin). Because of the incredible work he has put in this season, I only wish him a quick recovery.

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

Newcastle’s trip to the Etihad might be a crucial game because both sides are vying for a spot in the top four and a spot in the Champions League the following year.

Eddie Howe’s team, who have won 12 of their previous 14 games in all competitions, is tied with City for sixth position on points after 24 games, while Guardiola’s team is in fifth place with 41 points, two points behind Chelsea in fourth place.

City’s Champions League season was in ruins after they lost to Real Madrid in the 86th and 92nd minutes of Tuesday’s match, suffering yet another late-game collapse.

“We’ve recovered and move forward,” Guardiola responded when asked how difficult it is to keep his squad motivated after a subpar showing. “The following day and hours are challenging. But they need to improve.

Newcastle hasn’t defeated City in a league match since a 2-1 victory in 2019, but Guardiola claimed his squad has lately gone “some steps backwards.”

When asked what the team’s problems were, he responded, “It’s not one subject; if it were, it would be easy to solve.”

“We used to be so at ease with the ball, but that is no longer the case. After that, you must rely on physical presence, and our physicality differs from that of 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, who was substituted out of their match against Real Madrid, is probably going to be absent on Saturday.

Saying, “Not as bad as Akanji,” “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.”