Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has confirmed that Aymeric Laporte and Fernandinho could be out for several weeks following their injuries during the Carabao Cup Final.
The French centre-back had to be replaced after halftime while the Brazilian was taken off before extra-time with what looked like a groin strain. During the press conference after the match, Guardiola said:
“Laporte felt something in the last action of the first half, and Fernandinho felt something muscular. So I think it will be weeks out.”
Some supporters on Twitter are worried by the duo’s absence:
Really really damaging.
— Kriss Magill (@KMagill7) 24 February 2019
After all this celebration in the back of my mind is the fact that both Fernandinho and Aymeric are injured…with the games coming thick and fast and important road games in March the reality is concerning #MCFC
— ???TheOnlyTahbuku_MCFC ??⚽Ⓜ️ (@7thElementFilms) 24 February 2019
Please come back soon guys
— Tinei Chuma (@Tineichuma1) 24 February 2019
won the cup, may have lost the league
— Matt Pope (@Pope_Matt) 24 February 2019
Laporte we can cope with, Fernandinho ?????? pic.twitter.com/JoWFUaAaqI
— Garry (@SuperBlue623) 24 February 2019
Fml
Final took a heavy toll— Shehzaib Bajwa (@shehzaibbajwa) 24 February 2019
However, other fans believe that the upcoming international break could offer some respite:
Luckily, International break in 18 days? Gotto manage until then.
— charity (@DeBrahmam) 24 February 2019
As long as they are fit for April, especially Dinho, that’s the killer month.
— Papa Bendibus (@PapaBendibus) 24 February 2019
We will be fine..
— KOmat (@komatsola) 24 February 2019
The March fixture list is not too bad actually. We need them both fit and flying early April.
— patrick rock (@blue2win) 24 February 2019
While Vincent Kompany will be a very able replacement for Laporte, the absence of Fernandinho could be felt a lot harder. The 33-year-old plays a role that no-one else in the City squad can fill completely.
It’s likely that either Ilkay Gundogan or John Stones could come into the side to face West Ham on Wednesday night as cover.
The last time Fernandinho was sidelined, the Citizens lost two games against Crystal Palace and Leicester City. The Brazilian did, though, play the full 90 minutes in their last defeat to Newcastle.
