Manchester City’s defensive crisis deepens as Ruben Dias is ruled out for up to a month due to a muscular injury. The Portuguese centre-back’s absence adds to Pep Guardiola’s growing list of injured players, further complicating a season that has been far from smooth for the reigning Premier League champions.
City’s form has taken a nosedive, with only one win in their last 11 matches. This poor run has seen them drop to 5th place in the Premier League and 22nd in the UEFA Champions League standings.
RECALL:
Injuries have plagued City’s campaign. Rodri remains sidelined with a double knee injury, and Oscar Bobb is still recovering from a fractured leg. Recurrent issues for Nathan Ake and John Stones have also hindered Guardiola’s defensive options.
While Manuel Akanji and John Stones have recently returned to training, Dias’ setback piles on the pressure.
The timing couldn’t be worse, as City prepares to face Unai Emery’s Aston Villa in a critical Premier League clash this weekend.
QUOTES:
Speaking at a pre-match press conference, Guardiola gave an update on Dias’ condition:
“Ruben is out for a long time. Three, four weeks he will be out, yeah. Muscular. Against (Manchester) United, he felt something but wanted to stay on the pitch. Now he’s injured.”
On the overall injury situation, Guardiola added:
“Ederson? I don’t know if he will be ready tomorrow. We just have to continue; it’s the only thing we can do.”
CITATIONS:
This report is based on the information from:
Guardiola’s pre-match press conference at the City Football Academy.
Club injury reports highlighting Rodri, Oscar Bobb, and others as long-term absentees.
KEEP IN MIND:
Dias’ month-long absence could see him miss key matches across competitions, including domestic fixtures and the crucial UEFA Champions League clash with Paris Saint-Germain on January 22.
While City will hope for his timely recovery, the focus shifts to their current defensive resources to manage an increasingly challenging schedule.
