Manchester City’s defensive troubles continue as manager Pep Guardiola confirmed that star center-back Ruben Dias will be out for “three to four weeks” due to a muscle injury. The Portuguese defender sustained the injury during City’s 2-1 loss to Manchester United last Saturday. This means Dias will miss several key matches during the festive period, including the FA Cup third-round clash against Salford on January 11 and possibly the critical Champions League game against Paris Saint-Germain on January 22. His absence is a significant blow to the team, especially as he has already missed seven games this season due to a calf injury. City’s defensive depth has been tested throughout the season, with John Stones, Nathan Ake, Manuel Akanji, and Kyle Walker all suffering injuries at various points. Additionally, the team is still grappling with the loss of Ballon d’Or winner Rodri, who is sidelined for the rest of the domestic season after a serious knee injury.
Despite these setbacks, Guardiola has expressed hope for the squad’s recovery, confirming that Stones, Akanji, and midfielder Mateo Kovacic have returned to training and might feature in the upcoming match against Aston Villa. However, goalkeeper Ederson remains a doubt due to an unspecified issue. In light of City’s dismal run of one win in 11 games, Guardiola has faced criticism for his limited use of promising young talents like James McAtee and Nico O’Reilly. Both players were retained despite numerous loan offers, but McAtee has only made two brief substitute appearances, and O’Reilly has yet to make his Premier League debut. Guardiola dismissed speculation about potential departures in the January transfer window, suggesting that the youngsters would stay and continue to contribute to the team’s efforts in the second half of the season.
Reflecting on the team’s poor form, Guardiola acknowledged his frustration following the United defeat but emphasized resilience as the key to bouncing back. He gave the players a short break to reset and appeared more upbeat during his media briefing ahead of the Villa match. Guardiola admitted that the team’s current struggles have tested his emotions but stressed the importance of honesty about his feelings as a coach. “We fell down six times; we have to stand up seven,” he remarked, highlighting the team’s determination to overcome adversity. While City faces mounting pressure to improve, Guardiola’s faith in his players and his commitment to navigating these challenges signal his resolve to steer the team back to winning ways.
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