Manchester City’s perfect start to the season came to an abrupt end on Wednesday night, as they suffered a 2-1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in the Carabao Cup. However, it was not just the loss that has left manager Pep Guardiola concerned, but the mounting injury problems that are threatening to derail their campaign.
The Cityzens were forced to make two further changes to their lineup due to injury, with Manuel Akanji pulling out of the starting XI during the warm-up and Savinho being stretchered off with an ankle problem in the second half. This adds to an already lengthy injury list, which includes key players such as Kevin De Bruyne, Jack Grealish, and Kyle Walker.
Guardiola’s worries were evident in his post-match press conference, where he admitted, “We are 13 players, so it’s really difficult. I think we are in trouble, because in nine years we’ve never had a situation with many, many injuries.” The Spaniard was also cautious with star striker Erling Haaland, keeping him as an unused substitute to avoid risking further injury.
With three away games remaining before the November international break, City’s depleted squad will face a stern test of their resilience. They travel to Bournemouth on Saturday, followed by a Champions League clash with Sporting CP in Lisbon, and conclude this stretch with a visit to Brighton.
Guardiola remains optimistic, highlighting the opportunity for his players to “make a step forward” and come together in the face of adversity. However, the injury crisis has undoubtedly raised concerns about City’s ability to maintain their momentum in the season ahead.
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