Nico Gonzàlez goes down injured in a fresh injury concern for Manchester City | OneFootball

Manchester City beat Leyton Orient 2-1 to progress to the fifth round of the FA Cup at the Gaughan Group Stadium today. Richie Wellens’ side pushed the world champions all the way, but Manchester City got the result they needed in a hard-fought match. Heading into the game there was excitement that surrounded the debut of Nico Gonzàlez for Manchester City. Unfortunately, his debut only lasted 20 minutes before he was substituted due to injury. Now, it remains to be seen just how long Nico Gonzàlez will be out for.

Nico Gonzàlez had a harsh introduction to English football earlier today. He showed one glimpse of his quality while he was on the pitch. His ball in the 9th minute, which played in Savinho, was sublime. That showed exactly why City were so eager to sign him from FC Porto. But 7 minutes later Leyton Orient pressed him into an error which led to their opening goal. Jamie Donley deserves credit for his finish that caused Stefan Ortega’s own goal. But it was Gonzàlez who was caught in possession on the halfway line which led to the goal. The Spanish midfielder was substituted minutes after that moment with an injury. After all of the excitement leading up to his debut, we are now left wondering how serious the injury he suffered actually is.

Pep Guardiola believes what Nico Gonzàlez experienced against Leyton Orient is the perfect introduction for Gonzàlez to English football. Speaking after the game Guardiola also explained that he is unsure of how serious the injury City’s new signing suffered. Speaking post-game, Guardiola explained: “I think Nico got immediately what is the Premier League. I know without VAR it’s more difficult because they are not used to it. And I know it’s a League One side. But there were one or two missed actions. There’s a penalty that wasn’t given. I think Nico now understands perfectly what English football is. I don’t know how hard [the knock] is, but he could not continue.”

READ MORE: Manchester City have signed the midfielder they always wanted.

In the end the debut of Nico Gonzàlez for Manchester City wasn’t what was expected. But the hope is that the injury he sustained isn’t too serious. Pep Guardiola will be hoping that Gonzàlez is available for Manchester City’s upcoming Champions League fixture against Real Madrid. But if he isn’t today’s fixture showed Gonzàlez exactly what English football is about. That isn’t a bad thing as Gonzàlez is a player City want to build their midfield around for the foreseeable future.