The night is low, and tomorrow at 00:30 BST, Manchester City will be on the road to Ipswich in a crucial clash in the 22nd round of the Premier League. In this tense atmosphere, City defender Akanji faced the club's official cameras and shared his joy over teammate Harland's contract extension until 2034, as well as his insightful analysis of his upcoming opponent, Draper.
Talking about Harland's contract extension, Akanji couldn't hide his excitement: "This contract is a huge affirmation for him, and I'm equally proud. Harland's explosiveness and physicality make any defense seem overwhelming. He's not only our scorer, but he's also a commander on the offensive end, creating countless opportunities. His strength is evident to all and this contract is the best reward for his efforts and confidence in the future of our team. He deserves it all."
Facing Draper, Akanji looked calm and determined: "I've studied his game footage, he's physically impressive, very fast, decisive and precise in his shots. He has proved his ability to score goals and his ball control skills are also excellent. This is a game where we will go all out to meet the challenge. I'm not afraid to play against this kind of opponent, every game in the Premier League is a challenge and we can't afford to let up. They are bound to give it their all and we must give it our all from the first minute and show our best."
Speaking about the current state of the team, Akanji said, "Our goal is simple - to go all out to win the next games. Right now, the title talk is too far away and we just need to focus on one game after another. Injuries are the biggest challenge we are facing at the moment, but we all know that only being healthy will allow us to perform at our best on the pitch. We have to work together for our end-of-season goals."
Akanji also emphasized the importance of the next two rounds of Champions League matches, "These two games are crucial for us, we are eager to compete against the top teams in Europe and prove ourselves every year. In the league, we have two more tough matches against Paris and Bruges and we want to win and go far."
Facing the upcoming challenge, Akanji and his City teammates will give their best to meet the game in the best condition and provide the fans with a wonderful visual feast.
