In a setback for Manchester City, their star goalkeeper Ederson is set to miss crucial upcoming fixtures due to a thigh injury suffered during the 1-1 draw against Liverpool. This injury not only impacts City’s FA Cup game against Newcastle United but also poses a challenge for their Premier League clash with leaders Arsenal.
Key Incident:
The unfortunate incident occurred when defender Nathan Ake’s pass back to Ederson was intercepted by Darwin Nunez inside the box. As Ederson attempted to kick the ball, he couldn’t adjust his feet in time, resulting in a collision with Nunez. This not only led to a successful penalty conversion by Alexis Mac Allister but also forced Ederson to be substituted in the 56th minute of the match.
Injury Assessment:
City’s medical team has assessed the extent of Ederson’s thigh injury and conveyed to the Brazilian Football Association that he won’t be available for international duty. The initial prognosis suggests that Ederson could be sidelined for three to four weeks, dealing a significant blow to City’s pursuit of silverware.
Upcoming Fixtures:
With the FA Cup quarter-final against Newcastle United looming this weekend, City will have to navigate the crucial tie without their No.1 goalkeeper. The impact of Ederson’s absence will also be felt in the subsequent Premier League clash against Arsenal, scheduled for March 31 after the international break.
Pep Guardiola’s Reaction:
City’s manager, Pep Guardiola, expressed his concern about Ederson’s injury in a post-match interview with beIN Sports, grimacing as he stated, “It doesn’t look good.” Guardiola now faces the challenge of reshuffling his squad to compensate for the absence of the influential goalkeeper.
Conclusion:
As Manchester City braces for pivotal matches without Ederson, fans and pundits alike will be watching closely to see how the team copes with this unexpected setback. The upcoming FA Cup clash and Premier League encounter against Newcastle United and Arsenal, respectively, will test City’s depth and resilience in the absence of their star goalkeeper.
