Manchester City sweating on fitness of star forward following fresh injury concern | OneFootball

Pep Guardiola and his Manchester City staff will be sweating on the fitness of forward Savinho, after the Brazilian was withdrawn with a fresh injury concern.

The Premier League champions returned to top-flight duties in style on Saturday afternoon as they dismissed of Brentford to claim all three points, despite an early scare from the visitors after just 25 seconds.

Yoane Wissa’s headed effort from close range stunned the Etihad Stadium, before the ever-reliable Erling Haaland came into his own with two goals in response to move Manchester City back ahead in the game.

Unlike the club’s last two competitive outings, there would be no hat-trick for the dominant Norwegian this time around, despite his best efforts, as Manchester City cruised to victory by steering proceedings themselves throughout the second-half.

One slight concern for Pep Guardiola upon the full-time whistle will no doubt be the fitness of Savinho, who was replaced in injury time with images appearing to show the Brazilian clutching his right hamstring.

Matheus Nunes would come on in his place to sure up Manchester City’s midfield and ensure that would be no late fightback from the visitors at the Etihad Stadium, with games now coming thick and fast following Saturday afternoon’s clash.

Pep Guardiola was not quizzed on the fitness of the exciting 20-year-old winger during the open section of his post-match press conference, and it remains to be seen whether part two of his assessment will include an update on Savinho.

Manchester City will next face Inter Milan in the return of the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday night, as the Italian giants become the first opponent of the 2023 winners in the brand new ‘League Phase’ of the competition.

The meeting between the two sides will be the first time that City and Inter have faced one another since their historic and memorable Champions League final meeting in Istanbul of 2023, with a single Rodrigo strike bringing the European crown to the Etihad Stadium.