Manchester City faces another setback as manager Pep Guardiola announced that Portugal central defender Ruben Dias will be sidelined for “three or four weeks” due to a muscle injury.
Dias, injured during Saturday’s 2-1 loss to Manchester United, will miss the entire festive schedule and could also be sidelined for the FA Cup third-round match against Salford on January 11.
The 27-year-old is also contending with a race against time to regain fitness ahead of City’s pivotal Champions League match against Paris St-Germain on January 22.
Dias has missed seven games this season due to a calf injury, contributing to a growing list of defensive absences that includes John Stones, Nathan Ake, Manuel Akanji, and Kyle Walker, all of whom have faced injuries at different times. Additionally, Ballon d’Or winner Rodri will be sidelined for the rest of the domestic season following a cruciate knee ligament injury.
Guardiola confirmed, “It’s a muscular problem, and he will be out for three to four weeks.”
“Following 75 minutes of play against United, he experienced a sensation.” However, his strength was evident as he desired to remain on the pitch. He is currently dealing with an injury.
Guardiola has announced that Stones, Akanji, and midfielder Mateo Kovacic participated in training this week and may be available for the match against Aston Villa on Saturday at 12:30 GMT. However, he indicated that goalkeeper Ederson is considered “a doubt” due to an unspecified issue.
“Ederson has been dealing with some minor issues in his leg; he doesn’t feel entirely well,” Guardiola stated. “Ederson plays a crucial role for the team.”
As the team grapples with a disappointing streak of just one victory in their last 11 matches, questions have arisen regarding Guardiola’s decision to field young talents James McAtee and Nico O’Reilly.
The club emphasized its commitment to retaining both players despite the availability of various loan opportunities. McAtee has only featured as a substitute twice, entering the game in the final minute on both instances, while O’Reilly has yet to make his debut in the league.
It appears that the players will remain with the club for the latter part of the season, as Guardiola responded, “I don’t think so,” when questioned about the possibility of departures during the January transfer window.
The Spaniard expressed his reservations about acquiring players during the January transfer window, stating he is “not a big fan” of such moves. However, he acknowledged that it is “possible” for City to pursue new signings, citing the “special circumstances” of the current season.
Guardiola expresses his genuine emotions.
In the wake of United’s defeat, Guardiola’s demeanour was notably sombre, leading to speculation about his confidence in continuing in his role.
Following the match, he granted his players a few days of rest and appeared more upbeat during his scheduled briefing with the media ahead of the trip to Villa.
“We had just concluded a match that ended in defeat under challenging circumstances, and I was not pleased,” he stated.
Being transparent about the emotions of my teams is a priority for me. After experiencing six consecutive defeats in the Premier League, the team is determined to rise again and overcome the challenges ahead. There exists no alternative. I am doing well. I am an ordinary individual with emotions, just like everyone else.
Our performance tends to improve in favourable circumstances, which is a common occurrence. The decision to attend the press conference hinges on the team’s performance; if we were leading 1-0 and I felt compelled to express something contrary to my beliefs, I would abstain from participating.
The former Villa forward Jack Grealish has not scored for City in over a year. However, Guardiola emphasized that Grealish is not the only attacking player facing challenges this season.
He stated, “We are facing challenges in generating opportunities up front, but I remain optimistic about my players and their potential to turn things around and deliver strong performances.”
