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Ernest Victor
Guest
Manchester City’s manager, Pep Guardiola, has voiced grave concerns about the current state of his squad, disclosing that only 13 first-team players are fit and available for selection.
Pep Guardiola’s claim comes following a challenging encounter for the Premier League champions, where they recorded a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday evening.
The squad entered this crucial match already compromised, missing several key players due to injuries and other fitness issues. Notably absent were defender Kyle Walker, midfield maestro Rodri, forward Oscar Bobb, winger Jeremy Doku, attacking midfielder Kevin De Bruyne, and forward Jack Grealish.
Compounding the team’s difficulties, Manuel Akanji was unexpectedly ruled out just before the match due to injury concerns, leaving Guardiola with limited options.
The situation worsened during the match, as young talent Savinho was forced to leave the pitch on a stretcher in the second half, further depleting Guardiola’s already thin ranks. This incident not only added to the physical toll on the squad but also left the bench looking thin as the team fought to overturn a deficit.
As Manchester City prepare for their upcoming Premier League fixture against Bournemouth this weekend, Guardiola has acknowledged the precarious nature of his squad’s situation.
“We are in real difficulty,” he admitted, underscoring the magnitude of the challenges they face this season.
Guardiola added, “We have only 13 players available for selection, and most of those who participated in the match are finishing with various injuries and problems. We will need to assess how well they recover before the next game.”
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