Pep Guardiola confirmed that Manuel Akanji will miss for Manchester City for up to 10 weeks, because he needs surgery for a thigh injury.
Akanji sustained the injury during the 3-2 defeat of the city against Real Madrid in the first stage of their Champions League play-off draw on Tuesday.
The Swiss International has made this period of 20 performances in the Premier League, where City holds three clean sheets when it has been to the field.
He made the second best blocks of everyone in the team (eight) in the English top flight, while only Josko Gvardiol (89) has won more times than his 86.
“He will be operated on on Saturday. Eight to 10 weeks out,” said Guardiola on Friday.
“We only wish the best recovery for Manu [Akanji]. The efforts he made this season has been incredible.
“Him and Nathan [Ake] played in difficult circumstances. Help the team [an] emergency. Helped in right back.
“In the end the body said that enough is enough.”
City has struggled this term defensively. Only in 2019-2020 (37.6) and 2023-24 (35.9) did they have a higher expected goals against (XGA) total in a Premier League season under Guardiola than in 2024-25 (34.6).
Akanji's injury comes after fellow defenders John Stones, Nathan Ake and Ruben Dias recently returned from their own fired.
Jack Grealisk was also forced against Madrid with an injury. Guardiola said it was less serious than Akanji's, although the winger will not appear against Newcastle United in the Premier League on Saturday.
“It's not as difficult as what Manu did, but I don't know if he [Grealish] will be ready [for Saturday]”Said Guardiola.
“I don't think so, but we will judge him.”
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