Manchester Metropolis are grappling with a deepening harm disaster following their 2-1 League Cup defeat to Tottenham Hotspur, with winger Savinho and defender Manuel Akanji the most recent to affix an already prolonged listing of sidelined gamers. Savinho was taken off on a stretcher within the 62nd minute with a suspected ankle harm, whereas Akanji was dominated out simply earlier than kickoff resulting from a muscular difficulty. This has left Metropolis supervisor Pep Guardiola with solely 13 match gamers forward of a crucial Premier League fixture towards Bournemouth on Saturday.

Already lacking key figures together with Kevin De Bruyne, Rodri, and Kyle Walker, in addition to latest absentees Oscar Bobb, Jeremy Doku, and Jack Grealish, Guardiola voiced his concern over the bodily toll the season has taken on his squad.

“Now we have 13 gamers (obtainable) so we’re in actual problem. The blokes that play, they end most of them with issues and we’ll see how they get better. I believe we’re in bother, as a result of in 9 years we have by no means been within the scenario with so many accidents,” Guardiola advised reporters.

“The gamers make a step ahead, extra collectively than ever, and we’ll attempt to do that week on this brief time of restoration. Hopefully he (Savinho) is just not in peril however we’ll see…,” he stated.

Regardless of their precarious place, Metropolis are nonetheless narrowly main the Premier League, sitting one level above Liverpool. Nevertheless, with crucial fixtures approaching, the absence of so many regulars, raises issues about their capacity to take care of their title protection. The upcoming away conflict with Bournemouth will take a look at Guardiola’s capacity to rally a depleted facet and handle health ranges.

For Guardiola, who has loved 9 seasons with comparatively few long-term accidents, this example is unprecedented. “In 9 years, we have by no means been on this scenario with so many accidents,” he admitted.

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