Doku out for City's must-win Champions League clash with Brugge

Manchester City will be deprived of Jeremy Doku's services for their must-win Champions League game against Club Brugge on Wednesday. Pep Guardiola confirmed the Belgian winger's absence following the victory over the Blues. "A while. I don't know how much. But a while. He will not be ready for Wednesday for sure," the Catalan boss said.

Doku missed last week's painful 4-2 defeat away to Paris Saint-Germain and Saturday's 3-1 comeback win against Chelsea through injury, and will now be unavailable for a third consecutive game as City's hopes to make it into the round of 16 hang by a thread. The defending Premier League champions find themselves in 25th place after only managing to win two of their first seven matches in the league phase.

With all games kicking off at the same time on Wednesday, teams who fail to qualify within the top 24 places will be eliminated from the tournament, meaning only a win would guarantee the Sky Blues a ticket to the knockout stages. Following the showdown against Brugge, City travel to London to face Arsenal in what will be another key game in their aim to reach the top four.

But whether Doku will be fit for the visit to the Emirates remains to be seen as Guardiola implied it is far too early to give a definitive answer. The 22-year-old's fitness conditions will have to be reevaluated ahead of the game. City find themselves in fourth place with 41 points in the standings so far and have the opportunity to overtake Nottingham Forest with a win against the Gunners.

 

January 27, 2025