Manchester City supporters must be waiting for their team to be fully-fit and play their best football after the international break.
At the start of the season, players such as Phil Foden, Nathan Ake and Kyle Walker were unfit to start for Manchester City due to missing pre-season after Euro 2024.
Since their respective returns, they have all suffered injuries amongst other players at the Etihad Stadium this campaign.
Pep Guardiola wishes for his injured stars to return and as a result, he felt the international break came at the right time for his City side.
Bernardo Silva echoed Guardiola's thoughts as the return of club football also means Manchester City will have to play several challenging fixtures.
As per Croatian outlet Sportske Jutarnji, Mateo Kovacic was hooked off at half-time during his side's 1-1 draw after suffering a quadriceps injury against Portugal.
Man City fans react to possible Mateo Kovacic injury
Kovacic was replaced by Croatia boss Zlatko Dalic for Mario Pasalic.
The 30-year-old has been an ever-present cog in Pep Guardiola's side as his replacement for the injured Rodri.
However, Manchester City supporters online have voiced their concern about Kovacic potentially being injured now.
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A fan wrote: "[Mateo] Kovacic injured. I hate international breaks, man."
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Another fan wrote: "Kovacic injured, they may as well give the [Premier League] trophy to Liverpool this weekend."
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A fan suggested: "Kovacic injured. Get [Martin] Zubimendi now!"
Pep Guardiola could play Matheus Nunes as Kovacic replacement
On Wednesday, a report emerged that Pep Guardiola could deploy Matheus Nunes in midfield and that too as a number six.
It was claimed that Guardiola seems the likeliest to simply opt for Nunes playing as a number eight, putting an end to his time as a makeshift left-winger.
However, there was a suggestion made that the Portuguese international could well play as the deepest midfielder.
If Kovacic is indeed injured, Nunes might be asked to step up to the plate, just like he has done so on the left-wing as a holding midfielder.
Whether the former Wolves midfielder suits the role is a question.
But Pep Guardiola's hand might be forced once the status of Kovacic's knock is confirmed.
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