Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca has provided an injury update ahead of Tuesday's Champions League match against AEK Athens, confirming that Antoine Semenyo will be sidelined for eight weeks with a knee injury, while Erling Haaland remains a doubt.
The Premier League leaders maintained their perfect start to the domestic season with a 3-2 victory over Ipswich Town on Saturday. Haaland scored twice after Phil Foden opened the scoring, extending City's winning run to seven wins from seven league matches.
However, the match ended on a worrying note as Haaland limped off the pitch at the Etihad, while Semenyo's knee injury has proven more serious.
Maresca Confirms Semenyo's Absence
Speaking at a pre-match press conference, Maresca confirmed the winger's extended absence. "The rest are more or less all okay, the only one that will be out for probably eight weeks is Antoine," he said.
The manager expressed relief that the injury was not worse than initially feared. "In the first moment we expected an even worse injury, we were more worried, but after yesterday's scan we feel much better," Maresca added.
"It will be eight weeks, so in this moment the most important thing for him is recovery and when he is back, probably around December, we have a new player in terms of energy. To lose Antoine, or any player, for us is not good."
Haaland's Availability Uncertain
On Haaland's fitness, Maresca said: "He can be available, we'll see, we have a session now. We have some doubts after the game. We'll see, he was quite good yesterday, better, but we'll see today."
Asked about other injury concerns involving Nico O'Reilly and Mateo Kovacic, the manager indicated they were largely fit.
When it was suggested that the home game with AEK Athens could be an opportunity to rest the Norwegian striker, Maresca rejected the idea. "It's a huge game tomorrow for us," he said. "It's a Champions League game, unfortunately we lost the last one [against PSG], so we need to win games and we are going to try to win the game with our best players in this moment."
"For sure to replace Erling is always difficult but we have some different options and we'll see tomorrow. Depends on the game plan a little bit, but also there is a chance he can be available tomorrow, we'll see."
