Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca has provided a significant update on his squad's fitness ahead of their upcoming Champions League fixture against AEK Athens. Forward Antoine Semenyo is set to be sidelined for up to eight weeks after picking up a knee injury over the weekend. The 26-year-old Ghana international, who has contributed two goals and three assists in the Premier League this season, sustained the injury shortly after appearing as a substitute in City's 3-2 win against Ipswich Town at the Etihad Stadium.
Addressing the media on Monday, Maresca explained that while the injury was not as severe as initial medical assessments had feared, it is a collateral ligament issue rather than a muscle problem. "It could be eight weeks. Now the most important thing is recovery. When he is back in December, it will be like a new player," the manager stated. Maresca noted that the club had attempted to manage Semenyo’s workload by keeping him fresh with limited minutes, adding that the injury was an unfortunate incident beyond their immediate control.
Alongside the news of Semenyo's absence, questions have been raised regarding the availability of star striker Erling Haaland. The 26-year-old forward took a knock to his foot and ankle during stoppage time in the match against Ipswich. Haaland has been in prolific form, scoring 12 times in his last eight appearances for the club, a streak that has helped Manchester City maintain a perfect record in the Premier League with seven consecutive victories.
Despite the fitness concerns arising from Saturday’s match, Maresca expressed cautious optimism regarding Haaland’s participation in the upcoming European clash. The manager confirmed that the medical staff would continue to monitor the player, stating, "He can be available, we will see, we have a session now. We have some doubts after Saturday’s game. He was quite good yesterday, better."
Should Haaland be unavailable for the AEK Athens fixture, Maresca indicated that the club has alternative tactical strategies in place. While he acknowledged the difficulty of replacing the striker, he highlighted that there are various options at his disposal. "Phil Foden can be one of the solutions, not the only one, but now, at the moment, the number nine is Erling," Maresca remarked during the press conference.
The Champions League encounter provides an opportunity for Manchester City to regain momentum in the competition following their recent 4-2 loss to Paris Saint-Germain. That defeat left the team 17th in the table with three points from two matches. Maresca believes the team’s response in the aftermath of that loss has been encouraging and is calling for the same level of ambition as they look to secure a victory in the different competition on Tuesday.
As Manchester City navigates these injury challenges, the focus remains on recovery and tactical flexibility. With the team currently performing strongly in domestic play, Maresca is hopeful that the transition through this period will allow key players to return to full fitness as the season progresses. The upcoming European schedule serves as a critical test for the squad as they aim to improve their standing in the Champions League group stage.
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