MANCHESTER, England — Manuel Akanji, a key defender for Manchester City, may face an absence of as much as ten weeks due to a muscle injury requiring surgery, according to manager Pep Guardiola’s statements made on Friday.

The injury was incurred during the first half of the team’s recent 3-2 defeat against Real Madrid in the Champions League playoffs on Tuesday. Guardiola confirmed that Akanji is scheduled to undergo surgical procedures on Saturday.

The estimated recovery time provided by Guardiola suggests that Akanji will be sidelined for a duration ranging from eight to ten weeks, which could significantly impact the team’s defensive lineup in forthcoming matches.