Manchester City’s Champions League campaign has taken another significant blow as Antoine Semenyo has been ruled out for eight weeks following a knee injury sustained in the club’s 3-2 Premier League victory over Ipswich Town. The Ghanaian striker, who has been a key figure in City’s attack this season, will now miss the upcoming Champions League clash against AEK Athens, as well as several other fixtures, including the crucial Premier League fixture against Arsenal.
Enzo Maresca confirmed the severity of Semenyo’s injury during a press conference ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League match. While the manager acknowledged that the initial assessment was more concerning, recent scans have provided some relief, though the prognosis remains a lengthy recovery period. ‘The rest are more or less okay,’ Maresca stated. ‘The only one that will be out for probably eight weeks is Antoine.’ His absence will undoubtedly impact City’s attacking options, particularly in the absence of Erling Haaland, who remains a doubt for the same fixture.
Haaland’s fitness, however, appears to be improving. Maresca noted that the striker showed marked improvement in yesterday’s training session, raising the possibility of him being available for the Champions League match. ‘He was quite good yesterday. Better,’ the manager said, though the final decision will be made after the squad’s final training session. With Haaland’s status still uncertain, City will rely on a mix of Iliman Ndiaye, Jeremy Doku, Allan, Phil Foden, and Rayan Cherki to provide attacking depth in Semenyo’s absence.
The injury to Semenyo, combined with the doubts over Haaland, underscores the precarious nature of Manchester City’s squad depth. While the team has shown resilience in recent weeks, the loss of two key forwards—one for months and another potentially for the immediate future—will test Maresca’s tactical flexibility. The upcoming Champions League match against AEK Athens will be a critical test of City’s ability to adapt, particularly in a competition where depth and consistency are paramount.
For now, the focus remains on Semenyo’s recovery. Maresca emphasized that the priority is his rehabilitation, with the expectation that he will return around December in a form that suggests he is ‘like a new player in terms of energy.’ Until then, City will have to navigate the challenges posed by his absence, ensuring that the squad remains cohesive and competitive despite the setbacks.
