Manchester City have been dealt a significant setback ahead of their Champions League quarter-final second leg against Real Madrid, with defender Manuel Akanji ruled out due to a muscular injury.

The Swiss centre-back was substituted at half-time during City’s 3-2 defeat to Madrid at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday and is now expected to miss the crucial return leg at the Santiago Bernabéu next Wednesday. He will also be unavailable for City’s Premier League showdown against Liverpool on February 23.

Pep Guardiola has yet to provide an official update on Akanji’s condition, but according to BBC, the 29-year-old could face an extended spell on the sidelines. Guardiola is also expected to address the status of Jack Grealish, who was forced off early in the first half against Madrid, during his press conference on Friday.

City have already struggled with defensive injuries this season, with John Stones, Nathan Aké, and Rúben Dias only recently returning from absences. The injury crisis has been a key factor behind Guardiola’s complaints about his team’s inconsistency this campaign.

Real Madrid, buoyed by their first-leg victory, will now prepare to face a depleted City defence at the Bernabéu, with the Spanish giants aiming to capitalise on their advantage and secure a spot in the Champions League semi-finals.