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Manchester City Struggle With Defensive Injuries Before Palace Game
Manchester: As Manchester City prepare to face Crystal Palace in their next Premier League fixture, Pep Guardiola once again finds himself dealing with a growing list of injuries—especially in defense.
Key Defenders Still Out
City will be without three main defenders this weekend. John Stones is still recovering from a thigh injury he picked up in February, and there's no confirmed return date for him yet. Nathan Ake, who recently had surgery on a foot fracture, is also unavailable. Meanwhile, Manuel Akanji, who required surgery for an abductor issue, won’t return until at least late April.
Guardiola’s View: “It’s a Challenge”
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Guardiola didn’t seem frustrated by the situation.
“Injuries have happened all season. We adapt. You can look at it as a disaster or a challenge—we’ve managed well so far,” he said.
Despite the defensive crisis, City have stayed competitive on all fronts. But the pressure is on to keep pace in the title race with Arsenal and Liverpool.
Young Talent to Step In
Matheus Nunes is expected to continue in a makeshift right-back role, while 19-year-old Nico O’Reilly could get another chance on the left. The young midfielder has impressed recently with his calm presence and positional awareness.
De Bruyne Set for Return, Haaland Still Missing
After a rare week without a game, Kevin De Bruyne is expected to return to the starting lineup, giving City a big boost in midfield. Erling Haaland, however, remains unavailable. Omar Marmoush is likely to lead the line again, while Savinho might come in if Guardiola decides to rotate.
Foden and Grealish in Doubt
There’s also concern over Phil Foden and Jack Grealish, both of whom were involved in incidents with fans during the Manchester derby at Old Trafford. Guardiola revealed they “don’t feel good” but did not confirm if they’ll be available for the Palace game.
What to Expect
With Palace visiting the Etihad, City will need to rely on squad depth and tactical tweaks to maintain their title push. Fans will be watching closely to see how the younger players step up and whether City’s experienced midfield can carry them through.
