Pep Guardiola confirmed Manuel Akanji will miss up to 10 weeks for Manchester City as he requires surgery on a thigh injury.

Akanji sustained the injury during City's 3-2 defeat to Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League play-off tie on Tuesday.

The Swiss international has made 20 appearances in the Premier League this term, with City keeping three clean sheets when he has been on the field.

He has made the third-most blocks of anyone on the team (eight) in the English top-flight, while only Josko Gvardiol (89) has won back possession more times than his 86.

"He has surgery on Saturday. Eight to 10 weeks out," Guardiola said on Friday.

"We only wish the best recovery for Manu [Akanji]. The effort he has done this season has been unbelievable.

"Him and Nathan [Ake] have played in difficult conditions. Help the team in [an] emergency. Helped in right-back.

"In the end, the body said enough is enough."

City have struggled defensively this term. Only in 2019-20 (37.6) and 2023-24 (35.9) have they had a higher expected goals against (xGA) total in a Premier League season under Guardiola than in 2024-25 (34.6).

Akanji's injury comes after fellow defenders John Stones, Nathan Ake and Ruben Dias recently returned from their own lay-offs.

Jack Grealish was also forced off against Madrid with an injury. Guardiola said it was less serious than Akanji's, though the winger will not feature against Newcastle United in the Premier League on Saturday.

"It's not as tough as what Manu has done, but I don't know if he [Grealish] will be ready [for Saturday]," Guardiola said.

"I don't think so, but we will assess him."