Kevin De Bruyne is ready to miss the Manchester City semi-final match for the FA Cup with Liverpool due to an ankle injury … and Kyle Walker is also expected to be absent, as Pep Guardiola counts the price of his team’s victory over Atletico Madrid
- Manchester City will be left without Kevin De Bruyne when they face Liverpool
- The Belgian star suffered an injury during the trip to Atletico Madrid in the Champions League
- Pep Guardiola may also be without defender Kyle Walker in the semifinals
- City took part in a fierce rematch with Atletico Madrid on Wednesday
By Jack Gogan for the Daily Mail
Posted: 23:05, 14 April 2022 | Updated: 23:08, 14 April 2022
Manchester City mascot Kevin De Bruyne is ready to miss the FA Cup semi-final against Liverpool due to an ankle injury.
It is believed that the Belgian’s problem is a trauma from a blow, rather than a muscle injury, but the club doctors will have a better understanding of the terms of his absence after further evaluation.
Manager Pep Guardiola is likely to miss both Kyle Walker and De Bruyne, whose performances peaked when City reached home for the season, chasing three trophies.
Kevin De Bruyne is expected to miss the Manchester City Cup semi-final against Liverpool
Kyle Walker may also be absent from the Wembley clash after he was replaced on Wednesday
Guardiola reports the cost of advancing at Atletico Madrid after a stormy draw on Wednesday in the quarterfinals of the Champions League.
Phil Foden played much of the rematch with a bandage on his head, and Walker came up with a problem similar to that of De Bruyne. Defender said he hoped the injury was not serious, but was seen wearing safety shoes.
Guardiola was prevented from entering the semifinals at Wembley, proving the physical and emotional exhaustion of his players on Wednesday.
The team flew from Madrid to London on Thursday afternoon after a morning warm-up and held its last training session at Millwall Stadium, Day, before meeting Liverpool for the second time in a week.
“We have a team that will go all the way to win everything,” said defender America Laporte. “We know it will be difficult, but I think we can do it and we will achieve it. This week is something amazing that we probably don’t realize right now.
Pep Guardiola counts the price of a physical and bruising clash with Atletico Madrid
“If all goes well, this could be one of my biggest weeks as a professional.”
The consequences of the massacre observed in the last stages of the match against Atletico are yet to be determined, but UEFA is ready to investigate.
The role of former City defender Stefan Savic in the melee on the pitch and in the tunnel will be carefully considered after receiving widespread condemnation.
Savik chases Jack Grillish down the tunnel – quickly followed by four armed police officers – after pulling the attacker’s hair and hitting Rahim Stirling with his head. The header was not seen by German referee Daniel Siebert, who lost control of the tie.
Several other players and officials from both sides held heated discussions, which were allegedly made physical, with footage and testimony after the match that UEFA can review.
De Bruyne was in great shape for City and will miss Guardiola at Wembley
UEFA has suspended Bodo / Glimt head coach Ketil Knutsen and Roma goalkeeping coach Nuno Santos after the former was accused of attacking the latter in the tunnel last week and could be used as a precedent in the coming days. Bodo / Glimt claims that Santos was the aggressor in order to take their complaints to the police. Both have been suspended until UEFA makes a final decision.
Atletico’s accusation is growing, the club barely managed to stop the partial ban on the 5,000-seat stadium on the eve of the match from City thanks to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
UEFA has closed a zone of Wanda Metropolitano after some of the club’s fans were caught, who are said to be performing fascist salutes during the first match of the Etihad.
“It was a learning curve for us,” John Stones said of the match. “It will be a great experience for us in the big games, knowing that we have overcome this and that we can adapt to certain situations.
“It will definitely help us grow as a team and I’m really proud of the boys, how we played and the result after two games.”
Add Comment