With the Premier League race all but over, the UEFA Champions League is seen as the tournament that could salvage Man City’s season. Unfortunately, though, the English giants could be without one key attacker when their European campaign resumes with their clash with Real Madrid.
According to the Sun, that man is none other than Raheem Sterling. The English is reportedly facing a race against time to be fit for the first leg of their round of 16 showdown with Los Blancos after picking up a knock over the weekend.
The 25-year-old played in Sunday’s trip to Tottenham, which they lost 2-0, but was forced off the pitch six minutes before the final whistle due to a hamstring injury. While the former Liverpool starlet did not suffer anything serious, he is tipped to be out for two to three weeks after undergoing tests.
This means he could miss the trip to Santiago Bernabeu on February 26. He will sit out Sunday’s clash with West Ham prior to the Citizens’ winter break and could also be sidelined for their February 22 trip to Leicester in the league.
City, who are through to the League Cup final and FA Cup 5th round, could still win another treble and might thus not risk the Three Lions ace in the first leg. Their first shot at silverware will come on March 1 when they take on Aston Villa in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley, a game in which Pep might opt to hand Sterling his return.
However, the reigning Premier League champions are keen on ending their wait for a European trophy and will have to overcome an in-form Real Madrid side. Zidane’s men have not lost a game since October, meaning Raheem’s absence could make breaking down Ramos and Co. all the more difficult.
