New Headline: Kovacic & Lewis Thrash Hammers & Madrid in Exciting Cup Final!
Mateo Kovacic and Rico Lewis fitness updates ahead of Manchester City games against West Ham and Real Madrid Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has provided a fitness update on Mateo Kovacic and Rico Lewis ahead of a pivotal double-header against West Ham and Real Madrid. The Blues face West Ham at London Stadium on Saturday evening before hosting Real Madrid in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 tie at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday, with City needing to overturn a 3-0 first-leg deficit from the Spanish capital . Every game is a final for Manchester City between now and the end of the season as Guardiola’s side remain in the running for an unprecedented quadruple, despite facing major challenges in their pursuit of the Premier League and UEFA Champions League trophies.
After being humbled by Real Madrid in midweek, City must regroup and go again against West Ham on Saturday night as they look to cut down Arsenal ‘s seven point lead at the top of the Premier League table in their final nine games of the domestic campaign. “We are desperate too” – Pep Guardiola admits Manchester City must beat West Ham to stay in title race What is the latest on Rico Lewis’ ankle injury? The 21-year-old has now missed five consecutive matches for Manchester City across all competitions, having first sat out due to a swollen ankle.
Lewis last featured in City’s 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest and missed his boyhood club’s FA Cup fifth-round win over Newcastle United, the Real Madrid first leg and the intervening Premier League fixtures. Speaking in his pre-match press conference on Friday, Guardiola confirmed that Lewis remains a doubt but has not been ruled out entirely. “Rico still has a little bit swollen in the ankle,” the 55-year-old said ahead of Saturday’s trip to east London.
The Manchester City academy graduate has made only three Premier League starts this season but remains one of Guardiola’s most trusted options in midfield and at right-back. The City boss has made no secret of his admiration for Lewis, previously stating he trusts and likes him “a lot, a lot, a lot”. Though reports suggest there is a slight chance Lewis could be available for Saturday’s clash at the London Stadium, Guardiola’s wording suggests he remains unlikely to feature.
What is the latest on Mateo Kovacic? The news is considerably more positive on Mateo Kovacic , with the 31-year-old Croatian returning to regular training and pushing towards a return to the matchday squad. “Mateo’s training and is much better every day,” Guardiola said on the former Chelsea and Real Madrid man on Friday afternoon.
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