Manchester City and Pep Guardiola look set to be without Jack Grealish ahead of next week’s Bernabeu showdown against Real Madrid, after the midfielder was withdrawn early on against Madrid on Tuesday.
Manchester City head to Spain next week where they face Real Madrid in the Champions League, in what’s going to be an intense game against the current holders.
On Tuesday night, Man City lost 3-2 against Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium. City initially took the lead through Erling Haaland but two late goals sealed the comeback win for Jude Bellingham’s Madrid.
There were plenty of negatives for Pep Guardiola’s side on the night: Ederson has received criticism for his performance and his role in a couple of Madrid’s goals on the night, whilst Jack Grealish was forced off injured after just 30 minutes.
The 29-year-old has started the last two games now, playing the full 90 minutes of the Leyton Orient win in the FA Cup and grabbing himself an assist too.
Man City ace Jack Grealish shares injury update after Real Madrid blow
Grealish’s withdrawal on the night came amid a lengthy VAR check which Alan Shearer has suggested caused the injury. Nonetheless, it’s certainly a worry for Grealish who’s had his share of injuries since leaving Aston Villa for Man City in 2021.
Grealish posted an update on his Instagram story saying “hopefully the injury isn’t too bad”, also insisting that it was “all still to play for” ahead of the second leg at the Bernabeu on Wednesday next week.
So far this season, England international Grealish has featured 15 times in the Premier League without scoring, claiming just the one assist, with six appearances and one goal in the Champions League so far.
Jack Grealish’s injury history
Grealish largely avoided any major injuries in his first two seasons at the Etihad. But last season saw the midfielder spend some time on the sidelines with multiple muscle injuries keeping him out for more than 60 days, with 15 games missed in that campaign.
The 2015/16 season at Villa was Grealish’s most injury-laden campaign. An ankle injury helped to keep him out for more than 100 days that season, but thankfully he’s not had any really major injuries since.
Guardiola will be praying that this latest injury isn’t a huge blow. Although Grealish has struggled of late, Guardiola needs all the quality he can get right now.
City return to action at home to Newcastle United on Saturday afternoon.
