Manchester Metropolis defender John Stones is going through a lay-off after struggling an damage within the holders’ Champions League stroll towards Younger Boys on Tuesday.
The England worldwide was withdrawn at half-time on the Etihad Stadium.
Supervisor Pep Guardiola described the lack of Stones because the “deep unhealthy information” from an evening when Metropolis secured their place within the final 16 for an eleventh successive yr with an in any other case easy 3-0 win.
Via to the #UCL knockouts for the eleventh season in a row! pic.twitter.com/1UDOtXQgYq
— Manchester Metropolis (@ManCity) November 7, 2023
Guardiola stated: “It’s muscular, he’s injured, so he’ll be some time out. It’s a pity for him as a result of he’s an unbelievable skilled.
“He tried to do it nevertheless it’s unhealthy information for us. It’s the deep unhealthy information for tonight.”
The information is an additional blow for Stones, who has already missed two months of the season with a hamstring drawback.
Fellow defender Manuel Akanji additionally missed the sport after a blow to the again in coaching however, regardless of wanting “75 years previous” in Guardiola’s phrases, the supervisor added “hopefully it won’t be an enormous situation and he could possibly be prepared for Sunday”.
One participant apparently untroubled was Erling Haaland, who made mild of the ankle drawback that curtailed him on Saturday to attain two of Metropolis’s targets in a one-sided encounter with the Swiss champions.
Phil Foden additionally obtained on the scoresheet as Metropolis received their fourth Group G recreation in succession to safe progress with two video games to spare.
Guardiola stated of Haaland, who was substituted on the hour: “Yesterday we noticed how he moved and the way completely satisfied he was and he felt good. I stated, OK and for us he’s so necessary.
“After the job was nearly executed, he took a relaxation for (the sport towards Chelsea on) Sunday.”
Guardiola was happy along with his aspect’s achievement however, with RB Leipzig three factors behind, maintained he wouldn’t ease up till prime spot within the group was secured.
He stated: “We’ve already certified however nonetheless the job is just not executed as a result of now we have to complete first. It’s higher to have the second leg within the final 16 at residence than away as a result of at residence we really feel assured.
“Nonetheless you will have a job to do however step one is completed and I’m actually impressed.”
It was a depressing evening for Younger Boys, who ended the sport with 10 males after Sandro Lauper was despatched off for a second bookable offence.
Coach Raphael Wicky stated: “We’re clearly not completely satisfied. We’re not pleased with the efficiency we’ve made however we all know it’s very tough to get one thing right here.
“We knew if we wish to get some extent or a win, we wanted to have the proper recreation.
“I noticed some great things within the first half nevertheless it’s very tough to defend towards Man Metropolis. They at all times have possibilities.”
