Man City hit with fresh injury blow to Aymeric Laporte in Real Madrid Champions League clash 

Manchester City hit with fresh injury blow to key man Aymeric Laporte as he is forced off in the first half of Real Madrid Champions League clash

  • Man City are taking on Real Madrid in the last-16 of the Champions League 
  • Key defender Aymeric Laporte has been forced off injured in the first half 
  • This could dent Pep Guardiola’s side’s chances of progressing in the tournament 

Man City have been dealt a fresh injury blow with key defender Aymeric Laporte being forced off in the first half of their Champions League last-16 tie with Real Madrid.

The defender looked devastated as he limped off the pitch to be replaced by Fernandinho.  

The Frenchman has only recently returned from a serious knee injury he picked up in August but it looks like he could be set for more time on the sidelines.  

The defender looked devastated as he walked off the pitch to be replaced by Fernandinho

The Frenchman has only recently returned from a serious knee injury he picked up in August

The Frenchman has only recently returned from a serious knee injury he picked up in August

The 25-year-old made his comeback in January during City’s 2-0 win over Sheffield United. He has since played in the victories over West Ham and Leicester City. 

Laporte has been a big miss for Pep Guardiola’s side this season with Fernandinho often having to play out of position at centre-half alongside either Nicolas Otamendi or John Stones.

The defender was a key part of last season’s title-winning side and City have looked more vulnerable in his absence.

The club are desperate to progress in this season’s Champions League after being hit with a two-year ban earlier this month.

But losing Laporte will be a huge blow and left-back Benjamin Mendy is also set to miss the second leg after picking up a yellow card.

This could leave Guardiola with a defensive crisis in three weeks time. 

Losing the defender will be a huge blow and Benjamin Mendy is also set to miss the second leg

Losing the defender will be a huge blow and Benjamin Mendy is also set to miss the second leg

Laporte was a key part of last season's title-winning side and City look weaker without him

Laporte was a key part of last season’s title-winning side and City look weaker without him

The 25-year-old looked devastated as he limped off the pitch to be replaced by Fernandinho

The 25-year-old looked devastated as he limped off the pitch to be replaced by Fernandinho

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