Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola has confirmed that key defender Rúben Dias will miss the upcoming clash against Aston Villa due to a muscular injury.
The announcement was made during a press conference on Friday, where Guardiola detailed the extent of Dias's absence, stating, "Ruben is out for a long time, three to four weeks. It's a muscular issue."
This development comes as a blow to the Premier League champions, who are already grappling with a challenging season. Manchester City has experienced a dip in form, having won only once in their last 11 matches across all competitions.
The team is currently nine points behind league leaders Liverpool, following a dramatic 2-1 defeat to local rivals Manchester United last Sunday. Guardiola, reflecting on the team's recent struggles, admitted, "I was not happy and had to be honest with myself. You fall down six times, you have to stand up seven."
Despite the setbacks, he remains optimistic about a turnaround, emphasizing, "Sooner or later, we will turn it around. I don't know when." The absence of Dias, who played 75 minutes against United before feeling discomfort, leaves City short at the back. However, there is a silver lining as Manuel Akanji and John Stones have returned to training, potentially bolstering the defense in the coming weeks. Guardiola noted, "Manuel and John are back training with us. That is good for us."
As City prepares for Saturday's trip to Villa Park, they face the challenge of overcoming their current form while missing several key players. Alongside Dias, goalkeeper Ederson is also a doubt for the match, further complicating Guardiola's selection dilemmas. Aston Villa, sitting seventh in the table, will host the City at their historic home ground, Villa Park.
The Villans have proven to be formidable opponents, with their only victory against City in the last 17 meetings occurring in December 2023.
The match promises to be a crucial test for Guardiola's side as they seek to regain their footing in the league. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how the team adapts to these challenges and whether they can secure a much-needed victory.
Comments