Phil Foden injury update as Pep Guardiola reveals ‘grumpy’ reaction to in-game decision at Real Madrid

Manchester City were on the receiving end of yet another injury scare this week as Phil Foden limped off the field in the 3-3 draw against Real Madrid on Tuesday night.

The England international starred in a hugely positive result for the reigning Champions of Europe in the Spanish capital this week, scoring the equalising goal midway through the second-half following a dramatic opening 45 minutes.

Bernardo Silva’s opening goal inside two minutes was quickly cancelled out by a Ruben Dias own goal and Rodrygo strike, before efforts from Phil Foden and Josko Gvardiol could turn the game around once more.

However, a sensational effort from Federico Valverde would draw the game level once more, before Foden – who equalised in astonishing fashion – was withdrawn from his on-field heroics due to a late injury problem.

Speaking to broadcasters after the contest at the Santiago Bernabeu this week, Pep Guardiola and Phil Foden himself both shone light on the issue sustained by the Englishman following his outstanding equalising goal in the game and overall exemplary performance.

First quizzed on the injury, Pep Guardiola told the media on Foden, “It was a knock.” The City manager continued, “He was grumpy with me because I made a substitution but he made another fantastic goal.”

The 23-year-old Manchester City forward was subsequently asked whether he was ‘OK’ following the problem during the closing stages of the encounter, “I hope so, I’ve got a bad dead leg. A bit of time to recover and hopefully I can.”

Foden and Manchester City return to action in the Premier League this weekend as they welcome Luton Town to the Etihad Stadium, before Real Madrid travel to England for the second-leg of the quarter-final affair next Wednesday.

Pep Guardiola could use the weekend’s fixture as an opportunity to rest and rotate his squad, however given the importance of every remaining Premier League fixture until the end of the season, wholesale rotation is unlikely.

Kyle Walker and Nathan Ake will continue their own rehabilitation processes in the meantime, while Kevin De Bruyne will be hoping to overcome the illness that forced a late withdrawal from action at the Santiago Bernabeu.