Manchester City faces potential setbacks as their 29-year-old player, Mateo Kovacic, could be sidelined for an estimated 2-3 weeks due to a recurring thigh injury. This update comes from Manchester City journalist Sam Lee, who noted that Kovacic experienced a relapse of the injury sustained in September during a match against Chelsea. The midfielder’s absence from Croatia’s recent Euro 2024 qualifying matches against Latvia and Armenia raised concerns about his fitness.
Lee expressed that City will gain a clearer understanding of Kovacic’s diagnosis in the coming week. The timing is crucial as City prepares to confront Liverpool in the upcoming weekend, marking the return of domestic football. If the prognosis holds true, Kovacic could miss key fixtures, including clashes against Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, and Aston Villa in the Premier League, along with a Champions League group game against RB Leipzig.
Having joined Manchester City from Chelsea for £30 million in the previous summer transfer window, Kovacic has made 14 appearances across all competitions. His earlier absence from City’s matches against West Ham United and Nottingham Forest due to a thigh injury is a testament to the recurring nature of his current ailment. Despite returning to feature in five of the club’s six league games since then, starting in three, the midfielder now faces another period on the sidelines.
The potential loss of Kovacic in these crucial upcoming fixtures could be a significant blow for Pep Guardiola’s team, considering the importance of the games at hand. As City contends with challenging opponents both domestically and in the Champions League, the hope within the club is for Kovacic’s injury to be resolved promptly, ensuring he is not sidelined for an extended period. The coming weeks will be pivotal in determining the impact of Kovacic’s absence on Manchester City’s performance in these critical matchups.