The task of Manchester City in Real Madrid was made more difficult next week after a new injury for Pep Guardiola.
The defensive Premier League champions organized Los Blancos for the fourth consecutive season in the midweek and left a 2-1 lead slipping away.
Goals in the final phase of Brahim Diaz and Jude Bellingham were able to give them a 3-2 first leg victory for the European holders.
Carlo Ancelotti now keeps the last 16 priority in the race for the last 16, where Guardiola has to produce something special in Madrid on 19 February.
City did not win in their last three travels to the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu with their only victory will return there in 2020.
The Swiss international Manuel Akanji was withdrawn during the break in the first stage and Guardiola has now confirmed an important injury to the former defender of Borussia Dortmund.
“He was operated on Saturday at a groin injury. He will be out for eight to 10 weeks, “he said.
Guardiola was expected to reign Akanji for the second game, but the length of his absence is a major setback for one of his starting regulars, at a crunch point of the season.
Visitors must now formulate a plan to replace Akanji with Jack Grealiskh also doubtful for the trip to Madrid.
Matheus Nunes could be charged with trying to fascinate Vinicius Junior, of which Akanji had done good work prior to his injury.
Rico Lewis is an option, but Guardiola may not want to invest him in this kind of game, against a player of the skills of Vinicius.
The re -use of John Stones from his adapted defensive midfield role to Right Back is another path for Guardiola while trying to achieve one of the greatest results of his career as a city boss to reach the next phase.
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