Guardiola about Manchester City injury crisis: “We have 13 players so we are in real difficulty”

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@CGTN Sports Scene

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has openly admitted that his team is facing a severe injury crisis, with only 13 players available for upcoming matches. This dire situation comes after City’s recent 2-1 defeat to Tottenham in the Carabao Cup, which saw further injuries to key players.

Guardiola’s frustration was evident as he addressed the media, saying, “We have 13 players (available) so we are in real difficulty. The guys that play, they finish most of them with problems and we’ll see how they recover.” The list of absentees includes prominent names like Kyle Walker, Rodri, Oscar Bobb, Jeremy Doku, Kevin De Bruyne, and Jack Grealish. Manuel Akanji was also withdrawn before kick-off, and Savinho was carried off on a stretcher during the match.

The injury crisis has left Guardiola with limited options, with only two goalkeepers and Erling Haaland available for training sessions. The manager emphasized the need for his players to step up and show solidarity, stating, “In these situations, the players make a step forward and they are more together than ever.”

Despite the challenges, Guardiola remains hopeful that some players, including De Bruyne, Grealish, and Walker, will return after the international break. However, the immediate focus is on managing the current squad and ensuring they can compete in upcoming fixtures against Bournemouth and Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League.

Guardiola’s resilience and determination to navigate through this crisis will be tested in the coming weeks. The manager’s ability to motivate his squad and utilize the academy players effectively will be crucial in maintaining City’s competitive edge.

As fans and analysts watch closely, one thing is certain: Manchester City’s injury crisis is a significant hurdle, but it also presents an opportunity for lesser-known players to rise to the occasion and prove their worth.

Manchester City performance and stats

Manchester City

Manager: Josep Guardiola
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This season

In the last 2 games, it has won once and lost once. In its last match, Manchester City lost 2-1 against Tottenham Hotspur.​​