Barcelona vs Man City: defender missing as Blues prepare for Barcelona friendly

Nathan Ake has not made the trip to Spain, although there’s more positive news on Jack Grealish.
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Nathan Ake has not made the trip to Barcelona for Manchester City’s friendly with Barcelona on Wednesday.

The defender picked up a groin injury in Sunday’s Premier League draw with Newcastle United, which forced him to be withdrawn in the first half.

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Pep Guardiola hinted after the game that it looks like a serious injury for Ake, and said he would not play in the charity at the Nou Camp.

Asked if the City No.6 would be fit for the friendly, Guardiola responded: “Absolutely not.

“I think it’s his groin,” he added. “If he is out it is because he is injured, otherwise he would be there.”

Ferran Soriano, Pep Guardiola and Khaldoon Al Mubarak were in attendance at Girona vs Getafe on Monday. Credit: Getty.Ferran Soriano, Pep Guardiola and Khaldoon Al Mubarak were in attendance at Girona vs Getafe on Monday. Credit: Getty.
Ferran Soriano, Pep Guardiola and Khaldoon Al Mubarak were in attendance at Girona vs Getafe on Monday. Credit: Getty.

ManchesterWorld has been told Ake did not travel at all to Catalonia, and the Dutchman may already have started his recovery.

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City did post a photo from their training base at Girona, with Ake missing, as were Kyle Walker and Jack Grealish. However, ManchesterWorld has been told both players have made the trip to Spain.

It’s unknown whether Grealish is training with the main group at present or is able to play in Wednesday’s friendly. The winger picked up a knock in the recent 4-0 win over Bournemouth which ruled him out of the Newcastle game.

Jack Grealish is in Barcelona with the group. Credit: Getty.Jack Grealish is in Barcelona with the group. Credit: Getty.
Jack Grealish is in Barcelona with the group. Credit: Getty.

City play Barcelona in a charity match to raise money for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) research through the Luzon Foundation.

Former Barcelona coach, Juan Carlos Unzue, who worked with Guardiola during his time at the club, was diagnosed with ALS in 2020.

After the clash with Barcelona, who City could be paired with in the Champions League group-stage draw on Thursday, the Blues face Crystal Palace at home in the Premier League.