A major setback has hit Manchester City center-back Manuel Akanji, who is expected to be sidelined for between 8 and 10 weeks with an abductor injury. The Swiss defender will undergo surgery on Saturday, with manager Pep Guardiola confirming the news and saying, “An abductor injury is never easy to heal.”
How Did Akanji Get Injured?
Akanji’s injury occurred during City’s Champions League clash with Real Madrid. He was substituted at halftime because he felt discomfort, which was later confirmed through medical tests and found to be an injury requiring surgery. This means that the defender is out at least two months and, unfortunately, misses these key clashes.
A Big Loss for Manchester City
Akanji has been a paramount part of the defense for City, and his absence will be a challenge for Pep Guardiola with respect to his tactical formation. His ability to play as both a center-back and a full-back brings flexibility to City’s defense, and Guardiola will now have to work around this to adjust his defense.
On top of all of that, Jack Grealish has picked up an injury, meaning that he is also in doubt to face Newcastle. With these injuries stacking up, Pep is going to be forced into rotation to have any chance of keeping his team in the title race.
What Is Next for City?
Without Akanji, Manchester City faces a daunting schedule in the Premier League and the Champions League. Here’s what awaits the English champions:
February 15 – vs Newcastle United (Premier League)
February 23 – vs Liverpool (Premier League)
February 26 – vs Tottenham Hotspur (FA Cup)
March 8 – vs Nottingham Forest (Premier League)
March 15 – vs Brighton & Hove Albion (Premier League)
Time for a time-out, apparently, as City now seeks to fight it out for silverware ahead in multiple competitions and the timing couldn’t be worse for Akanji’s injuries. City fans will continue to hope. “