Defender Manuel Akanji has been dominated out of Manchester Metropolis’s Champions League return with Actual Madrid and their Premier League match with Liverpool amid fears he could possibly be set for an prolonged absence with a muscular drawback.
The Switzerland centre-back was changed at half-time within the on Tuesday.
Metropolis face Actual within the second leg subsequent Wednesday earlier than internet hosting Liverpool on Sunday, 23 February.
Supervisor Pep Guardiola was not requested about Akanji within the aftermath of the sport however is anticipated to supply an replace on the 29-year-old, in addition to ahead Jack Grealish – who was changed within the first half – when he holds his common media briefing on Friday earlier than his facet’s recreation with Newcastle on Saturday.
Nonetheless, sources have stated Akanji has been dominated out of Metropolis’s rapid video games.
It’s the newest in a sequence of defensive harm issues Guardiola has needed to cope with this season which he has repeatedly acknowledged is the key motive for Metropolis’s below-par performances and outcomes.
Defenders John Stones, Nathan Ake and Ruben Dias have all simply returned from latest absences.
Stones was utilized in central midfield in midweek as Guardiola tried to cowl for the opening left by Ballon d’Or winner Rodri, in his proper knee throughout Metropolis’s 2-2 draw with Arsenal in September.
Guardiola did embody new signing Nico Gonzalez in his squad to face Actual, however the Spanish midfielder was left on the bench all through the defeat after being pressured off with harm within the first half of his debut at Leyton Orient final Saturday.
