Sponsored by. MANCHESTER CITY were hit with a huge injury blow as Nico Gonzalez's debut lasted just 22 minutes. The midfielder signed for £50million from Porto in the January transfer window and started against Leyton Orient in the FA Cup. But Gonzalez went down injured off the ball on 20 minutes - and was replaced by Bernardo Silva just moments later. City were trailing at the time and now face hosting Real Madrid on Tuesday without their new man.
![[Nico Gonzalez of Manchester City challenged by Sonny Perkins of Leyton Orient during a soccer match.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/nico-gonzalez-manchester-city-challenged-970206266.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
But manager Pep Guardiola did brief a sigh of relief when Abdukodir Khusanov levelled on 55 minutes. The defender - who came off the bench - saw his effort on the edge of the box deflected in past keeper Josh Keeley. It came after Orient took a shock lead on 16 minutes Jamie Donley's strike hit the bar and bounced off City stopper Stefan Ortega into the net. City new boy Gonzalez - who came through Barcelona's academy and first team - started in midfield alongside Ilkay Gundogan.
![[Man City player holding up a new team jersey.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/476414777_18033350753570225_5109624457373608373_n.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
His arrival comes with Rodri still facing the prospect of missing the remainder of the season through injury. The Spaniard ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament during a 2-2 draw with Arsenal in September. CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS. Guardiola has history with Gonzalez having tracked his time at Barca's youth set up. And he said: "It's a position where we were weak after the absence from Rodri.
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