Manchester City's Phil Foden came up with a reassuring injury update after he was spotted limping out of the Champions League tie against Real Madrid.
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Foden was brilliant on the nightPicked up an injury in the final stages of the gameCould potentially only be a knockWHAT HAPPENED?
In a pulsating match, the English midfielder played a pivotal role, rallying his team with a superb second-half goal to level the quarter-final first leg at 2-2 after quick goals from Eduardo Camavinga and Rodrygo had nullified Bernardo Silva’s early free-kick. With Kevin De Bruyne sidelined due to illness, the creative burden fell heavily on Foden, and the youngster did not disappoint after being rested during Saturday’s Premier League victory over Crystal Palace.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Foden's stunning strike into the top corner from just outside the box silenced a raucous Santiago Bernabeu, which was his 22nd goal in 45 appearances across competitions this campaign. However, it was a nervous moment for City fans when the 23-year-old was seen limping off in the closing stages, following a duel with Camavinga and had to be subsequently replaced by Julian Alvarez, with the game eventually ending in a 3-3 draw.
WHAT FODEN AND GUARDIOLA SAID
Addressing concerns over his injury, Foden said to TNT Sports: "Just got a bad dead leg at the end, time to recover before next games so hopefully I can."
Speaking about the match, he added: "For the fans, it must have been one of the best games you could have possibly watched, two great teams with possibly the best attackers in the world going head to head. It’s what the fans want to see, with plenty of goals as well. Sometimes you score a bit too early. They responded really well with two quick goals and we had to settle again. I thought we grew into the game, especially in the second half. I was really happy to make the most of one of my chances. It is a fantastic result to come here and get a draw.”
Manager Pep Guardiola echoed Foden's sentiment, reassuring fans that the injury does not appear to be serious.
“It’s a knock. He was grumpy with me when I made a sub, which means he is OK, but he made a fantastic goal,” Guardiola told TNT Sports.
GettyWHAT NEXT FOR FODEN?
Foden will hope to continue with his rich vein of form when City host Los Blancos in the second leg of their Champions League tie next Wednesday. However, it remains to be seen if he is rested against Luton Town on Saturday in the Premier League to keep him fresh for the continental fixture.