Manchester City secured a straightforward Champions League victory against Galatasaray on Wednesday evening, yet the triumph was marred by a concerning injury to winger Jeremy Doku. The Belgian international was compelled to exit the pitch at the Etihad Stadium after just 37 minutes, with Phil Foden stepping in as his replacement.
Doku's Early Exit and Impact
Doku's departure was particularly untimely, as he had been showcasing exceptional form prior to the incident. He contributed assists for both Erling Haaland and Rayan Cherki, helping City establish a 2-0 lead, which ultimately remained the final score. This result guaranteed Manchester City a top-eight finish in the group stage, allowing them to bypass the play-offs and advance directly to the last 16 of the competition.
Guardiola's Post-Match Assessment
Initially, Manchester City's official social media channels described Doku's issue as 'a knock' during the match. However, manager Pep Guardiola provided a more specific diagnosis afterwards, indicating a calf problem. Speaking to TNT Sports, Guardiola expressed concern, stating, 'It's a big miss. Jeremy is such an important player for many reasons. The creativity in the final third. But yeah, we'll see.'
In his post-match press conference, Guardiola elaborated further, confirming, 'Injured. A calf. Felt something.' When questioned about Doku's availability for the upcoming Premier League fixture against Tottenham on Sunday, the manager responded pessimistically, saying, 'I think so,' suggesting the winger is likely to be absent.
Frustration for the Returning Winger
This setback is especially disappointing for the 23-year-old, who has only recently returned to action after a previous injury that sidelined him for several matches earlier this month. His potential absence could impact City's attacking dynamics as they navigate a busy schedule.
Champions League Context and Future Opponents
The victory over Galatasaray provided relief for Manchester City, ensuring their progression in the Champions League following a mixed European campaign that included a surprising defeat to Bodo/Glimt. With five wins from eight group games, City finished eighth, avoiding the play-off round.
Reflecting on the achievement, 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 the team's performance, he added, '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.'
While City have secured direct entry to the last 16, they now await their opponent, which will be one of four teams emerging from the play-offs: Benfica, Bodo/Glimt, Inter Milan, or Real Madrid. This sets the stage for a challenging knockout phase as Guardiola's side aims to build on their domestic and European ambitions.
