Manchester City sustain first-half attacking injury blow during UEFA Champions League clash with Real Madrid | OneFootball

Pep Guardiola’s problems with fitness and injury were further complicated in the first-half of their UEFA Champions League meeting with Real Madrid on Tuesday night.

Manchester City continue to battle on multiple fronts without defensive midfield star Rodri, who maintains his lengthy recovery process from a double-knee injury, while their direct replacement for the Spaniard sustained a problem at the weekend.

Having joined the club from FC Porto on Deadline Day, Nico Gonzalez made his debut against Leyton Orient on Saturday afternoon but was forced off inside 25 minutes with a lower back problem and could only make the bench against Real Madrid.

With Oscar Bobb still to return to matchday duties for Pep Guardiola’s side, having seen his recovery from a leg bone fracture setback by an ankle issue in training last week, their attacking ranks have been handed a new blow.

Having played a crucial role in Manchester City’s opening goal scored by Erling Haaland against the Spanish giants in the first-half on Tuesday night, Jack Grealish was forced out of the action moments later.

The England star was a bright spark on the left of City’s front-three and it was his pass over the top of Real Madrid’s defence that found Josko Gvardiol in a pocket of space, chesting the ball into the path of Erling Haaland who cushioned the ball past Thibaut Courtois.

Clutching his groin upon leaving the field, Jack Grealish was replaced by Phil Foden in attack for Manchester City with the academy graduate taking a place on the right of attack and allowing Savinho to move over to the left.

Pep Guardiola is likely to provide an update on Jack Grealish’s fitness after the contest, having spoken briefly with the 29-year-old as he left the action in the first-half against Real Madrid and headed straight down the tunnel accompanied by medical staff.

This is a developing story. Refresh for updates.