Manchester City have a defensive injury crisis, but it presents a massive opportunity for Aymeric Laporte and Nathan Ake to step up and become heroes.
29.04.2022 - 16:13 / manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Kyle Walker's season could be over after the Manchester City right back was ruled out of the next two games. The England star was rumoured to have trained in secret ahead the midweek game against Real Madrid, but he was not in the squad for that game.
Guardiola has already ruled him out of a return against Leeds on Saturday and he will not be fit for the return against Real at the Bernabeu on Wednesday. His absence has caused City a headache, but that should ease for the next two games, as Joao Cancelo — suspended for the Champions League game — can return to fill in at right back, with Oleks Zinchenko or Nathan Ake playing at left back.
But if Walker continues to be absent, it restricts Guardiola's options with five Premier League games and the conclusion of the European campaign. He damaged his ankle in the 0-0 draw at Atletico Madrid that booked City's place in the semi-finals, nearly three weeks ago.
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Guardiola confirmed Walker is certainly out for the visit to Elland Road and, when asked whether he could miss the final few weeks of the season as well, replied: "I don't know right now. I'm not worried at all, he's injured unfortunately for all of us and him especially. I must focus on the rest of the players."
The good news is that John Stones, who limped out of the Real game in the first half and was replaced by Fernandinho, still has a chance to play in the Bernabeu second leg. He said "For tomorrow [Leeds] he's out and we'll see for Wednesday."
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Manchester City have a defensive injury crisis, but it presents a massive opportunity for Aymeric Laporte and Nathan Ake to step up and become heroes.
Pep Guardiola has already told Manchester United and Manchester City what they would get from signing James Ward-Prowse during the summer transfer window. Speculation over the Southampton captain has started to spiral amid suggestions the two Manchester clubs will go head-to-head for his £75million signature.
Pep Guardiola says Kyle Walker's inclusion for Manchester City vs Real Madrid is a risk amid his touch-and-go fitness issues.
Here are your Manchester City headlines for Tuesday, May 3.
Kyle Walker trained with Manchester City on Tuesday ahead of their Champions League game with Real Madrid but John Stones did not.
Manchester City face a trip to Elland Road on Saturday in the Premier League as they face an in-form Leeds United side.
Pep Guardiola has moved to reassure Jack Grealish that he still has a big part to play for Manchester City this season.
Nathan Ake has had an important few months in a Manchester City shirt.
Nathan Ake has spoken about how tough he found his debut season at Manchester City.
Steve McManaman has quashed criticism surrounding Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola's tactics claiming "you can't overthink a genius."
Pep Guardiola revealed John Stones declared himself fit for Manchester City on Tuesday to play at right-back against Real Madrid, but Kyle Walker is still not recovered from injury.
Manchester City welcome Real Madrid to the Etihad for the first leg of their Champions League semi-final tonight at 8pm (UK time). The two sides met at this stage of the competition in 2016 with Los Blancos advancing to the final after beating City 1-0 on aggregate.
Pep Guardiola says he will have to play at least one player out of position to solve his defensive problems in tomorrow night's Champions League semi-final clash with Real Madrid. The Manchester City boss will give John Stones and Kyle Walker until tomorrow morning to prove their fitness, with the suspension of Joao Cancelo meaning they could be left without any senior players who have played right back.
Oleks Zinchenko’s performance against Watford has partially solved Manchester City’s defensive crisis for the visit of Real Madrid on Tuesday. But Pep Guardiola still faces a major problem at right back — and suggested Saturday’s headline-grabbing hero Gabriel Jesus could be the man to solve it.
Pep Guardiola says he could re-think his preference of working with a small squad, with Manchester City stretched by injury at the business end of the season. Problems for John Stones, Kyle Walker and Nathan Ake, plus Joao Cancelo’s suspension means the Blues could be down to just three fit defenders for the visit of Real Madrid on Tuesday.
Kyle Walker will miss Manchester City's Premier League clash with Watford through injury and could be unavailable for the Champions League semi-final first-leg versus Real Madrid on Tuesday.