Manchester City’s injury woes have escalated following their 2-1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in the League Cup on Wednesday night. The club`s manager, Pep Guardiola, confirmed that winger Savinho and defender Manuel Akanji have joined a growing list of sidelined players, leaving him with just 13 fit squad members.
Savinho was forced off on a stretcher in the 62nd minute, suffering an apparent ankle injury, while Akanji was unable to participate after experiencing a muscular issue during the warm-up.
The team is already grappling with the absences of key players, including Kevin De Bruyne, Rodri, and Kyle Walker. Additionally, Oscar Bobb, Jeremy Doku, and Jack Grealish have missed recent matches, compounding City’s challenges.
Guardiola expressed his concern in a post-match press conference, stating, “We have 13 players available, so we are in real difficulty.
The guys that play often finish the match with issues, and we’ll need to monitor their recovery closely. I think we are in trouble, as in nine years, we’ve never encountered a situation with so many injuries.”
He added a cautious note regarding Savinho’s condition, saying, “Hopefully he is not in danger, but we will see... Akanji felt something in his muscle during the last action, and unfortunately, he didn`t feel right during the warm-up.”
Despite these setbacks, Manchester City remains at the top of the Premier League table, leading Liverpool by a narrow point.
The team will aim to maintain their position when they face Bournemouth on Saturday, although Guardiola`s reduced squad may pose a significant challenge.
The upcoming match is critical not just for maintaining their league lead but also for boosting morale amid the ongoing injury crisis.
Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how Guardiola manages his depleted resources and whether his remaining players can rise to the occasion in the face of adversity.
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