Manchester City: Haaland doubtful, Semenyo injured ahead of AEK Athens reception
According to several English media outlets, Erling Haaland and Antoine Semenyo are doubtful after Manchester City's victory over Ipswich (3-2), three days before the reception of AEK Athens in the Champions League.
Manchester City approach their Champions League match against AEK Athens on Tuesday with a depleted squad. According to several English media outlets, striker Erling Haaland and winger Antoine Semenyo were both injured during the 3-2 victory over Ipswich on Saturday in the Premier League.
Haaland, a record then a concern
Erling Haaland first broke a new Premier League record in this match before limping off the pitch, reports Sports Mole. Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca gave reassuring but cautious updates. According to the Evening Standard, he spoke of a "mix" of good and bad news following this match marked by five physical scares.
According to TEAMtalk, Maresca confirmed that Semenyo, who has scored two goals and provided three assists this season, was injured late in the match against Ipswich. The Italian coach also gave an update on Haaland, without giving certainty about his availability for the AEK Athens clash.
Semenyo, a potentially lengthy absence
TEAMtalk mentions a "detrimental schedule" for Semenyo, without specifying the exact duration of his unavailability. The Manchester club has not yet officially communicated on the severity of his injury. Several sources, including Sports Mole and the Evening Standard, agree that the player is at least doubtful for the European fixture.
A packed schedule
Manchester City enters a period of seven matches in 21 days, the Evening Standard reminds us. This accumulation of games could prompt Maresca to rotate his squad, as he had hinted before the Ipswich match, according to the same outlet. The trip to Paris, which ended in a defeat against Paris Saint-Germain, also pushed the staff to manage playing time.
Other cases to monitor
Besides Haaland and Semenyo, Mateo Kovacic, Matheus Nunes and Nico O'Reilly also experienced scares during the Ipswich victory, Sports Mole reports. The club has not yet released an official list of absentees for the AEK Athens reception. Supporters will await Maresca's upcoming statements to learn more.
