Manchester Metropolis defender John Stones is dealing with a lay-off after struggling an damage within the holders’ Champions League stroll in opposition to Younger Boys on Tuesday.
The England worldwide was withdrawn at half-time on the Etihad Stadium.
Supervisor Pep Guardiola described the lack of Stones because the “deep dangerous information” from an evening when Metropolis secured their place within the final 16 for an eleventh successive yr with an in any other case easy 3-0 win.
Guardiola mentioned: “It’s muscular, he’s injured, so he’ll be some time out. It’s a pity for him as a result of he’s an unbelievable skilled.
“He tried to do it nevertheless it’s dangerous information for us. It’s the deep dangerous information for tonight.”
The information is an extra blow for Stones, who has already missed two months of the season with a hamstring drawback.
Fellow defender Manuel Akanji additionally missed the sport after a blow to the again in coaching however, regardless of wanting “75 years outdated” in Guardiola’s phrases, the supervisor added “hopefully it is not going to be a giant problem and he might be prepared for Sunday”.
One participant apparently untroubled was Erling Haaland, who made gentle of the ankle drawback that curtailed him on Saturday to attain two of Metropolis’s objectives in a one-sided encounter with the Swiss champions.
Phil Foden additionally obtained on the scoresheet as Metropolis received their fourth Group G recreation in succession to safe progress with two video games to spare.
Guardiola mentioned of Haaland, who was substituted on the hour: “Yesterday we noticed how he moved and the way blissful he was and he felt good. I mentioned, OK and for us he’s so essential.
“After the job was nearly accomplished, he took a relaxation for (the sport in opposition to Chelsea on) Sunday.”
Guardiola was happy along with his aspect’s achievement however, with RB Leipzig three factors behind, maintained he wouldn’t ease up till high spot within the group was secured.
He mentioned: “We’ve already certified however nonetheless the job will not be accomplished as a result of we’ve to complete first. It’s higher to have the second leg within the final 16 at dwelling than away as a result of at dwelling we really feel assured.
“Nonetheless you will have a job to do however step one is finished and I’m actually impressed.”
It was a depressing evening for Younger Boys, who ended the sport with 10 males after Sandro Lauper was despatched off for a second bookable offence.
Coach Raphael Wicky mentioned: “We’re clearly not blissful. We’re not pleased with the efficiency we’ve made however we all know it’s very tough to get one thing right here.
“We knew if we wish to get a degree or a win, we wanted to have the right recreation.
“I noticed some great things within the first half nevertheless it’s very tough to defend in opposition to Man Metropolis. They all the time have probabilities.”
