Manchester City travel to the Parc des Princes to face Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League on Tuesday, but Pep Guardiola confirmed in a pre-match press conference that they’ll be without Ilkay Gundogan. He said: “Ilkay is out until after the international break.”
The 30-year-old picked up a problem in City’s 0-0 draw with Southampton and missed their 1-0 win over Chelsea a week later. It now appears he ‘will not return’ until after the international break, meaning two weeks at a minimum.
Gundogan has made seven appearances in all competitions, scoring one goal with one assist. He’s been a regular in the Premier League and Champions League, but Guardiola may instead have to start with Kevin De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva ahead of a holding midfielder.
After City’s meeting with PSG, they’ll face Liverpool on Sunday and then have a two-week international break before their next game against Burnley (October 16). Guardiola has options in Gundogan’s stead, but he’ll be hoping he’s not without his central midfielder for long.
The German international scored 17 goals and had five assists in 46 games last season, so he gave a lot to City in their title-winning campaign.
In other news, Man City eye £103.4m Sergio Aguero replacement with four goals in five Serie A games