How Manchester City will cope if Pep Guardiola’s two injury concerns are realized

Kevin De Bruyne and Kyle Walker both limped off in City’s hard-fought draw at the Wanda Metropolitano on Wednesday. Fernandinho and Nathan Ake replaced the duo, as Pep Guardiola’s side just about coped with the hosts’ pressure to progress to the Champions League semi-final.

With much of the season to go, Guardiola will hope that the injuries are not as bad as first feared. The city faces Liverpool in the FA Cup semi-final on Saturday, while they are also battling with Jurgen Klopp’s team for the Premier League title.

After overcoming Atletico in the Champions League quarter-finals, City now has a tie with 13-time winners Real Madrid in the semi-final. The Citizens were defeated by Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea in the final last year and need the squad to be at full strength to go one better this season.

De Bruyne is a massive loss for Guardiola, as the Belgian has scored 14 goals and provided eight assists in all competitions this term. De Bruyne scored in the three consecutive matches prior to City’s trip to Madrid, including the first-leg goal against Diego Simeone’s side.

De Bruyne is a vital goalscorer for Guardiola’s side, but in the past two seasons his teammates have stepped up to his mantle. Last season, Ilkay Gundogan was everyone’s go-to fantasy football player, as the German found his goalscoring touch.

The 31-year-old enjoyed his most prolific season in a City shirt, scoring 17 goals in all competitions. In the absence of De Bruyne — who was on the treatment table for large parts of last season — Gundogan went on an incredible run from December to February, scoring 11 Premier League goals in 12 matches.