Pep Guardiola fears that Nathan Aké could be out for a longer period. The Dutch international was forced off with an injury during Manchester City's FA Cup match against Plymouth Argyle (3-1).
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Manchester City’s 3-1 victory over Plymouth Argyle in the FA Cup should have been a straightforward step forward in their pursuit of silverware, but the win was overshadowed by yet another injury concern for Pep Guardiola.
Dutch defender Nathan Aké was forced off the pitch with an injury, leaving City facing another potential defensive crisis at a crucial stage of the season. Guardiola admitted after the match that the initial signs were worrying, and he fears Aké could be sidelined for an extended period.
Aké, a regular starter for both City and the Dutch national team, began the match in his usual role, but the 30-year-old did not emerge from the tunnel after halftime. Guardiola opted to replace him with Rúben Dias, a substitution that sparked immediate concern about the severity of Aké’s injury. Although the exact nature of the problem has yet to be confirmed, the initial assessment does not appear promising. Guardiola openly admitted that he fears losing Aké for “a while,” a blow not only to City but also to the Netherlands, with important Nations League fixtures on the horizon, including a crucial clash against Spain.
This latest setback comes in the context of a challenging season for Aké, who has already endured multiple injury interruptions over the past few months. Having missed significant spells for both club and country, Aké’s fitness has become a growing concern for Guardiola, who relies heavily on the Dutchman’s versatility and defensive intelligence. The 53-cap international is comfortable at centre-back and left-back, making him a valuable asset in Guardiola’s tactical system. However, persistent injury troubles have prevented him from maintaining a consistent run of games, which now threatens to derail his rhythm once again.
Guardiola’s defensive headache doesn’t end with Aké’s injury. City are already operating with a depleted backline, as both Manuel Akanji and John Stones are also sidelined with longer-term issues. With three key defenders potentially unavailable in the coming weeks, Guardiola is left to rely on a limited group of options. Fortunately for City, the club reinforced its defensive ranks in January, signing promising centre-backs Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis. Guardiola acknowledged the importance of those additions in his post-match comments, describing their arrivals as “a miracle.” Without them, the Catalan manager admitted City would be left with just Rúben Dias as a natural centre-back, a scenario he described as unsustainable given the demands of competing across multiple competitions.
Despite the defensive concerns, City’s performance against Plymouth provided plenty of positives, particularly the emergence of Nico O’Reilly. The 19-year-old midfielder, who is usually deployed in a more creative central role, was asked to fill in at left-back due to City’s injury crisis and he delivered a performance that caught the eye. O’Reilly scored twice, showcasing both his technical ability and his sense of timing when arriving in the box. Guardiola was full of praise for the youngster, highlighting his physical presence as a unique advantage for such a young player. Standing at 1.93 meters, O’Reilly offers a rare blend of technical skill and aerial dominance, making him a threat not just in open play but also from set pieces. Guardiola emphasized that O’Reilly’s versatility and composure under pressure had made a significant difference in the match.
City’s 3-1 win against Plymouth ensured safe passage to the next round of the FA Cup, but Guardiola was quick to underline that it was far from an easy game. Plymouth, who had stunned Liverpool in the previous round, defended resolutely and made City work hard for their chances. Reflecting on the performance, Guardiola expressed satisfaction with how his team responded to recent setbacks, including defeats to Real Madrid in the Champions League and Liverpool in the Premier League. “We created a lot and gave very little away,” Guardiola said. “Plymouth are a solid team they showed that against Liverpool so I’m very happy with the way we handled the game. This team showed great character, and I’m proud of them.”
The FA Cup holds special significance for City, who lifted the trophy in 2023. However, they were denied back-to-back triumphs after losing last year’s final to Manchester United. Guardiola made it clear that his team remains fully committed to fighting for the cup this season, and despite their defensive struggles, City’s squad depth and adaptability give them hope of going all the way once again.
For now, though, the focus will be on Aké’s recovery. With crucial fixtures coming thick and fast in the Premier League, Champions League, and FA Cup, Guardiola will be desperate for positive news regarding the Dutchman’s condition. City’s ambitions for silverware on multiple fronts could hinge on whether they can find defensive stability in the weeks ahead and whether Aké can recover in time to play his part in the decisive final months of the season.
Updated: 03:08, 2 Mar 2025
