- Pep Guardiola has revealed another Manchester City star could be out of action
- The City boss revealed the player asked to be subbed off in defeat against PSG
- LISTEN NOW: It’s All Kicking Off! Ruben Amorim looks desperate… it’s a last resort to publicly out your players
Pep Guardiola has confirmed another injury setback for Ruben Dias after the defender was substituted in Man City’s latest Champions League defeat.
Dias had only returned to City’s matchday squad in the weekend’s 6-0 thrashing of Ipswich after previously missing six games across all competitions with an unconfirmed injury.
However, the centre-back was left looking uncomfortable on the bench when he was hooked by Guardiola at half-time of Wednesday’s Parc des Princes encounter.
City’s Champions League participation has now been left on a knife edge after PSG came from two-goals down to record an emphatic 4-2 victory that leaves the reigning English champions in the elimination zone.
Next week’s home clash against Club Brugge is now of even greater importance with City needing a win to guarantee themselves a place in the Champions League’s knockout stages.
They might have to do without Dias as Guardiola confirmed the Portuguese defender notified him he was struggling throughout the first-half during the half-time team talk.
Ruben Dias was withdrawn at half-time of Man City’s Champions League defeat against PSG
Pep Guardiola confirmed after the match that Dias had asked to come off at half-time
Guardiola explained Dias asked to be replaced, with youngster Rico Lewis coming on his place in a makeshift left-back role while Josko Gvardiol moved into the middle of defence.
Revealing Dias’ newest injury complaint, Guardiola summarised after the game: ‘He asked to be replaced because he didn’t feel good.’
Further assessments will now be carried out to determine the severity of Dias’ complaint once City return to Manchester with Guardiola and supporters hoping it is only a minor issue ahead of crunch upcoming fixtures.
Chelsea travel to the Etihad on Saturday with the hosts facing an ever growing injury list as Matheus Nunes again deputised in defence against PSG.
Meanwhile, Guardiola admitted his team are struggling to kill teams off in their usual manner after taking the lead in matches because players are nervous when in possession.
Further assessments will now be carried out to determine the severity of Dias’ complaint once City return to Manchester
‘Because to play you have to play and we could not,’ he told TNT Sports after City’s latest loss.
‘To defend the result you have to take the ball and we didn’t have it. You have to defend better and that’s why it’s more difficult,’ he added.
