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Manchester City defender Matija Nastasic had to be stretchered off Hong Kong’s “killer pitch” yesterday, spoiling what was Manuel Pellegrini’s first piece of silverware as manager. |
Edin Dzeko’s spectacular volley from outside the box on nine minutes—his second goal in two games—was enough to edge City past a dogged Sunderland 1-0 in the Barclays Asia Trophy final. Dzeko also missed a second-half penalty when he blazed over.
But the dire condition of the pitch at the 40,000 sell-out Hong Kong Stadium—where Manchester United play tomorrow —will again come under the spotlight after the Serbian Nastasic became the second Premier League defender to fall victim in the treacherous conditions after days of heavy rain in Hong Kong.
Spurs’ Belgian international Jan Vertonghen faces a race to be fit for the start of the season in three weeks after injuring his ankle in a 3-1 defeat to Sunderland at the same venue on Wednesday.
Pellegrini was tight-lipped as to the severity of the ankle injury sustained by Nastasic, who had his hands over his face and appeared to be distressed after receiving what Pellegrini termed a kick to the ankle.
The Chilean said he did not believe the surface—which was covered in sand but cut up badly as more heavy rain tumbled down—was to blame.
“I can’t tell you now, the doctor needs to see him tomorrow when we arrive in Manchester and then we can know what has happened to his ankle,” Pellegrini said when asked how bad the injury to the talented Nastasic, 20, was.
“We are concerned but it is better to wait. He received a kick to his ankle and the doctor is seeing what it could be, but it is impossible for him to know.
“It is part of the game and could have happened on any pitch.”
The former Malaga coach, who took over from the sacked Roberto Mancini last month, added: “We put in a good performance. For me it is important to improve here in Hong Kong compared to South Africa (where City were touring beforehand).
“To play on this pitch was not easy but we always tried to play (good football) and we did well.”