Before their matchup with Real Madrid in the Champions League semifinals next week, Nathan Ake has delivered Manchester City a potential injury blow.
The adaptable Dutch defender had to leave the 2-1 victory over Leeds at the Etihad in the second half due to what appeared to be a muscular issue.
The 28-year-old was quickly replaced by Kyle Walker because manager Pep Guardiola didn’t want to take any chances.
Ake was removed after just 54 minutes due to a collision with the ground, however, he was able to leave the pitch on his own.
However, in a development that will worry City supporters, the former Chelsea center-back was seen putting ice on his leg, a sign that he had in fact developed a muscle issue.
The former Bournemouth star is having his most successful season with the league’s top team.
He participated in just 40 games for City across his previous two campaigns but has already appeared in 38 games across all competitions.
On occasion, Pep Guardiola has used him as a left-back and on the left side of a back three, where Ake has excelled.
With Ake in the lineup, City has looked at ease 25 times in Premier League starting XI appearances.
In anticipation of their Tuesday night trip to the Bernabeu, Guardiola will now be anxious about the severity of his issue.
City will be thinking about getting even coming into their opening leg match in what is a rematch of last season’s semifinal.
City gave up in Madrid, where the La Liga juggernauts rallied from a goal down to defeat them 6-5 overall.