Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola has confirmed that Sergio Aguero’s injury blow will keep him out from playing when Champions League round of 16 stage returns in August.
City secured a narrow victory over Spanish League winners Real Madrid during the first leg of round 16 tie at the Santiago Bernabeu in February before football activity was suspensed due to coronavirus.
At the expense of their goal poacher’s absence, Los Blancos almost got away with a second half effort from Isco but Gabriel Jesus pegged both sides on equal terms before Kevin De Bryune stole the show for the Citizens few minutes before stoppage time.
They will now suffer the same stint when they host Madrid at home as their talisman who suffered an injury against Burnley in June is considered not fit for a return before the clash, Guardiola has confirmed.
Despite the Argentine slated for four to six week to full recovery, the Spanish coach believes his forward starman will not be rushed to the pitch. When posed if Aguero will be listed in his team for August 7 fixture, he told reporters in a conference that: “No, I think it will not be possible for the timing.”
Although Guardiola expects a tough and brilliant Real Madrid on match day but he looked to be less concerned about the possibility of facing Cristiano Ronaldo’s Juventus in next round of the competition but he is channeling all concentration to the game at hand as per one step at a time approach.
“We play against Real Madrid, If we think about the next step the kings of this competition, Real Madrid, will put us out. There is not one person who knows Real Madrid better than me, their potential and history, and we have to play this game.”
Real Madrid will also miss their captain and ace defender Sergio Ramos after picking up a red card at Bernabeu and the Sky Blues will now bank on Gabriel Jesus who has scored five goals in six Champions League appearance this season to help them fire through Zinedine Zidane’s weak defense.
