Antoine Semenyo injury has handed Manchester City a major setback. Enzo Maresca has confirmed the winger will miss roughly the next eight weeks after a knee problem picked up late in Saturday’s 3-2 win over Ipswich Town, a result that stretched City’s winning start to the Premier League season to seven games.
Semenyo was sent for scans on Sunday, which revealed the extent of the damage. Maresca spoke ahead of Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League clash with AEK Athens (20:00 UK) and was asked about the fitness of several players, including Matheus Nunes, Nico O’Relly and Mateo Kovačić.
Maresca: “Much better” than feared
“The rest are more or less okay. The only one that will be out for probably eight weeks is Antoine,” Maresca said.
“In the first moment we expected an even worse injury so we were more worried.
“After yesterday’s scan we feel much better because it’s not so big like we expected.
“It could be eight weeks. Now in this moment the most important thing for him is his recovery. When he is back around December it will be like a new player in terms of energy.”
Haaland a doubt, but could return
There was better news on Erling Haaland, who took a knock after scoring twice against Ipswich. Maresca said the striker will be considered for the AEK Athens game at the Etihad.
“He can be available,” Maresca said. “We’ll see. We have a session now and we have some doubts after Sunday’s game.
“He was quite good yesterday. Better. So we’ll see today.
“Replacing Erling is always difficult. We have some different options and we’ll see tomorrow.
“It depends a little bit on the gameplan and also there is a chance he can be available tomorrow.”
Who plays up front without Semenyo?
Semenyo had been identified as one of the players who could play as a striker to give Haaland a rest. Maresca still has other attacking options as City look to build on a strong start.
“First of all, to lose Antoine or any player for us is not good,” he added.
“In terms of Erling, we said we can use Antoine as a nine but we have different players that we are going to try to find a new solution. We will see.
“At the moment it’s Erling. Why do we need to think about a different nine when Erling is there? If something happens and we need a different plan or different nine, we will see.”
Guéhi: Champions League offers “priceless” chance to grow
Marc Guéhi says the return to Champions League action against AEK Athens is another chance for City to progress and develop as a team. The game is City’s fourth in nine days since domestic football resumed, and their third home match in a row.
Guéhi has played every minute of that run, which began with a 3-0 win at Liverpool and continued with a 4-2 Champions League loss to Paris Saint-Germain before the win over Ipswich. City sit top of the Premier League with seven wins from seven.
Despite conceding nine goals in their last three home games, Guéhi said the squad is learning and improving just three months into Maresca’s reign.
“I wouldn’t say [it’s] a concern [conceding these goals]. There are many things we have to consider,” the England central defender said at his pre-match press conference.
“New manager and getting used to playing together in the system the manager wants us to [use] and hopefully as time goes by, we learn and improve.
“[With so many games] There have been a lot of meetings and reviewing clips inside.
“Things that we can do better. For example, in the last game I know I can do better but that’s just football.
“I’m glad I’ve got teammates to help me out at the other end as well.
“As much learning [as we can] whether it’s on the pitch or off the field with the clips that we’re watching.
“When we can we get on the pitch to go through things and tactics but it’s a lot of recovery, sleep, and making sure the body is right for the next game.
“There’s work we can do as a team but when I look at those goals at the weekend, it’s down to me and for me to look at and try to improve and put right in the next game.”
AEK Athens: a tricky test in the Champions League table
City have three points from their opening two league-phase games, after a 2-0 win at FC Porto in mid-September and a 4-2 home loss to reigning European champions Paris Saint-Germain. That leaves them 17th in the composite table, with AEK also on three points in 20th.
Guéhi expects another demanding night.
“We know they’re a very good team and got a win in their first game and have very good attackers that have a lot of experience,” Guéhi added.
“So we need to be aware and mindful of that.
“They are going to come here and try to make the game difficult [but] hopefully we can do well and get the three points.”