Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola says he has “missed” Mateo Kovacic deeply as the midfielder edges closer to a long-awaited comeback during a crucial stage of the campaign.
With the business end of the season fast approaching, City are beginning to see light at the end of a difficult injury period.
Guardiola has been forced to rotate and reshape his midfield options in recent months, but Kovacic’s steady progress in training has provided a timely lift.
The 31-year-old Croatia international has returned to the training pitches after undergoing a second operation within a year.
While he is not yet ready for immediate selection, there is growing optimism inside the club that he will play a part in the closing stretch of the season.
City’s ambitions remain high both domestically and in Europe, and the impending knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League add extra significance to Kovacic’s recovery.
Guardiola believes the midfielder’s composure and technical quality could prove vital on the biggest nights.
Guardiola eager for Kovacic return
Kovacic’s injury troubles began last summer when he required surgery on an Achilles problem. The setback meant he missed the FIFA Club World Cup and delayed his start to the campaign until September.
He made brief substitute appearances against Everton and Villarreal shortly after returning, but discomfort persisted.
Further medical intervention was required, ruling him out for an extended spell and leaving Guardiola short of options in a key area of the pitch.
The timing could hardly have been worse. Guardiola had planned to rely heavily on Kovacic in holding midfield, particularly as Rodri also faced fitness concerns after working his way back from an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
With limited choices in that position, City’s balance and control occasionally suffered.
Guardiola has made clear just how much Kovacic’s absence has affected the side.
“I miss him a lot because his ability in short passes,” he said. “I remember last season when we played without proper wingers and played with a lot of players inside, Bernardo Rodri, him – this connection with Jeremy and Phil was magnificent how they could break 1vs1s, to dribble the opponent and break the next line.”
Kovacic’s sharp passing in tight spaces and his calmness under pressure are traits Guardiola values highly, particularly in matches where control in midfield can dictate the outcome.
Last season, City often operated with fluid attacking shapes, packing central areas with technically gifted players.
In that system, Kovacic’s link-up play allowed others to thrive, helping to create overloads and unlock stubborn defences.
“I have already missed Kova a lot but the last game he played was Fulham before the Club World Cup. He tried to make surgery to be fit for the season and unfortunately it was not good.
“I spoke with him the last days and he said he feels really, really good compared to the first surgery and hopefully he can help us in the last part of the season.
“To have continuity of a game every three days will take time but as much as you can select good minutes he is a special player with special quality and mentality – another player for the biggest stages, he is so brave.
“First for his health and life to play football, that is what we want but Kova is an important player that we miss a lot.”
Guardiola is aware that regaining full match sharpness after a lengthy absence is a gradual process.
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The intensity of playing every three days, particularly across multiple competitions, places heavy physical demands on even the fittest players.
However, Guardiola’s reference to Kovacic’s mentality may be just as significant as his technical qualities.
City’s ambitions hinge on delivering in high-pressure environments, and experience can be decisive when margins are tight.
Kovacic has built a reputation for stepping up in major fixtures throughout his career.
His ability to retain possession, resist pressing and transition play from defence to attack could offer Guardiola valuable tactical flexibility during the run-in.
