Manchester City’s seven-game winless run ended last night at the Etihad with a 3-nil win over Nottingham Forest. It wasn’t a perfect performance from Pep Guardiola’s side by any stretch. But it didn’t have to be. All they needed was a win and they got at the Etihad Stadium. But coming out of the game the world champions picked up several fresh injury concerns. That put a dampener on what was a good night for Manchester City.
Manchester City’s injury concerns began pre-game. Phil Foden wasn’t included in City’s matchday squad. It was then revealed that the England international was suffering from bronchitis. A return date for Foden isn’t known at this stage.
But Pep Guardiola’s side would end last night’s game with two more injury concerns. Nathan Ake and Manuel Akanji were substituted due to injury. Akanji was taken off at halftime and Ake went down clutching what appeared to be his hamstring late in Manchester City’s win. That is a cruel blow for Manchester City. Just as it looked like the champions were getting their full squad back they left last night with a host of new injury concerns.
Speaking after his team’s win Pep Guardiola said the injuries to Ake and Akanji didn’t look good. He told the media: “*The problems continue with Manu and Nathan but we prove what an incredible group of players we have at our disposal. Nathan it doesn’t look good, we will see tomorrow. Manu has struggled a lot over the last two months. I thank them for the effort they do.*”
Guardiola went into further detail on the injury status of Foden, Akanji and Ake when he was asked how long they could potentially be out for: “*I’m sad for Nathan. Manu, we’ll see. Maybe not Selhurst Park but Turin. Nathan, I think, will be longer. Phil [Foden] had bronchitis, so when he has no fever, he will be ready.*”
The injuries suffered by Nathan Ake and Manuel Akanji put a dampener on what was a successful night for Manchester City. Manchester City’s win over Nottingham Forest came at the right time for Pep Guardiola’s side. Now attention will shift to Crystal Palace for Manchester City. Pep Guardiola’s pre-game press conference on Friday should see a further update on the trio ahead of City’s trip to London.