Edin Dzeko Injury a Crushing Blow Ahead of Tough Manchester City Stretch

Edin Dzeko became the latest addition to Manchester City's ever-fluctuating list of injured stars. The striker came on as a substitute in Saturday's 2-2 draw at Queens Park Rangers, but was forced off before really getting going.

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67. SUB CITY: @EdDzeko, who has only been on a few minutes, limps off the field to be replaced by Frank Lampard.

— Manchester City FC (@MCFC) November 8, 2014"

Stuart Brennan of the Manchester Evening News noted that the Bosnian captain would be unavailable for his side's upcoming EURO 2016 qualifier:

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Confirmed that @EdDzeko has pulled out of Bosnia squad for friendly against Israel this week, with injury he picked up on Saturday

— Stuart Brennan (@StuBrennanMEN) November 10, 2014"

Sky Sports reported on Monday that the calf injury could see Dzeko miss "up to three weeks." That would see Manuel Pellegrini missing a crucial piece for the impending showdown with Bayern Munich on Nov. 25, plus Premier League fixtures against top-five sides Swansea and Southampton.

Given City's shaky-at-best recent form both at home and abroad, this is the absolute wrong time to lose a key figure.

After Sergio Aguero's wonder show at Loftus Road in which he bagged equalizing goals twice to salvage a point, Bacary Sagna spoke highly to Brennan of the Argentine's performance. The French international noted, however, that the entire squad needs to "rise up" and that Aguero may continue "pulling the team up."

Of course, Sagna and the defensive unit have a lot of work to do. Former non-league killer Charlie Austin could have had a couple of hat-tricks were it not for the officiating crew and some key Joe Hart stops, plus Martin Demichelis' own goal put QPR in front for the second time.

If the back line continues to struggle, an added onus will be placed on the forward corps to pick up the slack and score enough to hold out for results. Now, with Dzeko potentially shelved for some tough matchups, that becomes more difficult a task.

Pellegrini himself noted in his post-match reaction that Aguero "needed the support of another striker" in the closing stages of the match, which he had for just minutes. Even as it looks like he can single-handedly prop up City's chase for Champions League silverware, even the great Aguero can't go it alone.

Dzeko's contrasting style of play to Aguero provides a great foil and has proven a threat already against Bayern.

Kerstin Joensson/Associated Press

He was a menace in the group-stage opener, using his size to battle for aerial balls and hold up play against Pep Guardiola's side. His efforts were not rewarded, though, as neither he nor Aguero could beat Manuel Neuer, and former Blue Jerome Boateng struck a winner at the death.

While Aguero's movement off the ball and wonderful control on it are invaluable, Dzeko's abilities allow him to receive the ball and lay the ball on for his partner or any of the other attackers. Against a strong defensive side like Bayern with Boateng, Dante and Mehdi Benatia, such qualities are equally vital.

With them missing, breaking down the Bavarians will be that much more difficult.

Domestically as well, Dzeko could be in line to miss two huge matchups against domestic high-flyers Swansea and Southampton, the latter an away match. These two teams are the leaders in allowing the fewest Premier League goals so far—Swansea level with Chelsea on 11 goals allowed, with the Saints conceding a paltry five times.

Both teams are in fantastic form, with Swansea entering the break off a win over Arsenal and Southampton having won four league matches on the spin. If Dzeko is not available, it could spell more opportunities for City to drop points they can't afford to drop as Chelsea pull away.

As great of form as Aguero is in right now, he also has a penchant for picking up niggling injuries, as does the other remaining striker in Stevan Jovetic. At a time where City's title defense and European hopes are crumbling in front of them, not having everyone at full fitness is the last thing they need.

Dzeko at least will have the next week and a half to rest up and work back to a point where he can be available. Goodness knows his club need him now more than ever.

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