Jeremy Doku injury update from Pep Guardiola after Man City beat Galatasaray

Manchester City picked up a comfortable Champions League win over Galatasaray on Wednesday night, but suffered a setback as Jeremy Doku was forced off through injury.

The Belgian limped out of the game at the Etihad after 37 minutes, replaced by Phil Foden.

It was frustrating timing for the winger as he had looked in tremendous form, providing assists for both Erling Haaland and Rayan Cherki to give City a 2-0 lead.

That is how the game finished as Pep Guardiola’s side secured a place in the top eight of the group stage, so head straight into the last 16.

Doku’s injury was described as ‘a knock’ by Manchester City’s official socialmedia account during the game, but Guardiola suggested it was a calf problem after the contest.

‘It’s a big miss,’ he told TNT Sports. ‘Jeremy is such an important player for many reasons. The creativity in the final third. But yeah, we’ll see.’

Adding in a post-match press conference, he said: ‘Injured. A calf. Felt something.’

Asked whether Doku would likely miss Manchester City’s trip to face Tottenham on Sunday, he said: ‘I think so.’

It will be frustrating for the 23-year-old who has only recently returned from injury, which kept him out of a string of games earlier this month.

The win for Manchester City secures their spot in the top eight of the Champions League group, which will be a relief after an up-and-down European campaign.

The defeat at Bodo/Glimt earlier this month was a stunning loss, but five wins from eight games have proved enough to head straight into the last 16 and avoid a play-off, finishing eighth.

Guardiola told TNT: ‘[Making the top eight] was the first target, being so tight. We had many chances to score more goals. We could not do that and in the end was in the hands for other teams. We come back and try to improve.’

On his side’s performance, he said: ‘I think the first half was much better than the second and the second had more chances than the first. The second half still we are not at our best. We continue.’

City do not have to worry about the play-offs, but they already know that they will face one of four sides which are heading into the two-legged affairs.

City or Sporting will take on Benfica, Bodo/Glimt, Inter Milan or Real Madrid in the last 16 of the Champions League.

Comments Add as preferred source