Aymeric Laporte and Kevin De Bruyne’s condition have received a long-awaited update from Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola.
Alongside the injured John Stones, the aforementioned pair were left out of Manchester City’s 22-man travelling squad that arrived in Leipzig on Tuesday evening, ahead of Wednesday night’s UEFA Champions League last-16 first-leg meeting.
The trio did not partake in City’s open training session on Tuesday morning at the City Football Academy, but did complete the large majority of Saturday afternoon’s 1-1 draw away at Nottingham Forest in the Premier League.
After their omission from the 22-man squad, confirmed by Manchester City ahead of the meeting with RB Leipzig this week, Pep Guardiola has now provided an update on Kevin De Bruyne and Aymeric Laporte’s respective fitness.
Speaking in a press conference on Tuesday evening, the Manchester City manager revealed that De Bruyne and Laporte have been ruled out of the European tie with illness.
Asked if the pair could recover in time for City’s Premier League clash against AFC Bournemouth at the weekend, the 52-year-old said: “I don’t know,” which seemingly casts doubt on whether De Bruyne and Laporte will return against the Cherries.
“It is what is during the season, unfortunately. He (De Bruyne) didn’t feel good right after the game with (Nottingham) Forest on Sunday. Yesterday, Aymer (Laporte) didn’t feel good. It happens sometimes,” Guardiola added.
Manchester City take on RB Leipzig in the first-leg of their double-header in the Champions League knock-out stages on Wednesday night, in what many believe could be a welcome distraction from the relentless nature of the ongoing Premier League title race.
The trip to Germany provides City with the perfect opportunity to bounce back from Saturday afternoon’s disappointment at the City Ground with a positive result in European competition, as they go in search of their first ever Champions League crown.
The upcoming weekend will bring the Premier League back to Manchester City’s attentions, as they travel to the south coast of England in another English top-flight away trip to face AFC Bournemouth.
source: cityxtra.co.uk
