Dias injury aggravates Man City’s defensive crisis
MANCHESTER: Manchester City will be without three key defenders for the rest of the Premier League title race after manager Pep Guardiola confirmed Ruben Dias was out for the season on Sunday.
City reclaimed top spot from Liverpool with a 5-0 hammering of Newcastle United at the Etihad Stadium, but their joy was somewhat tempered by the injury news.
Any hangover following their dramatic semi-final loss against Real Madrid in the Champions League in midweek was swept away as Raheem Sterling struck twice for Manchester City in the sunshine at the Etihad Stadium.
Aymeric Laporte, Rodri and Phil Foden were also on the scoresheet as City reclaimed top spot and moved three points ahead of Liverpool who drew with on Saturday.
Both sides have three games left to play and City now also have a four-goal superior goal difference.
“The margin between us and Liverpool is so tight and goal difference can happen. It was important we win,” Guardiola said.
While City have built a three-point lead with three games to go, Guardiola will have to do without Dias, John Stones and Kyle Walker for their games against Wolves, West Ham and Villa.
A muscular problem forced Dias off at halftime against Newcastle while Stones and Walker both suffered injuries in the Champions League semifinal tie against Real Madrid.
“Ruben, Kyle and John out until the end of the season,” Guardiola said. “Next pre-season maybe they will be ready.
“Ruben’s problem is muscular. Not the same position, but hamstring.”
With Nathan Ake, an unused substitute against Newcastle, also struggling with an ankle injury, Guardiola said he only has three fit defenders available for Wolves.
“He has a problem in his ankle for a long time,” Guardiola said. “It happened in the game against Leeds. Still he has a little niggle and doesn’t feel comfortable.
“We have Joao [Cancelo], Oleks [Zinchenko] and Aymeric [Laporte].”
Liverpool, meanwhile, will face Aston Villa, Southampton and Wolves in their final three games.