Ahead of Manchester City’s upcoming clash against Sparta Prague in the Champions League, Pep Guardiola had his say on various subjects.
Guardiola revealed Kevin De Bruyne is still not fit and confirmed that it will take time for him to return to being in contention to play.
Pep Guardiola also revealed that Kyle Walker is currently nursing a knee injury and is not fit for selection against Sparta Prague.
On Oscar Bobb’s injury, Guardiola confirmed via Manchester City’s official YouTube channel that he will return in either January or February.
The Catalan tactician certainly does not have an easy task on his hands, despite Manchester City yet to lose a single game across all competitions.
During his press conference, Pep Guardiola recalled a time where he has “never” been more furious during his time at the Etihad Stadium.
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Guardiola shares he has never been more furious after Stones and Walker injuries for England
After England’s 1-0 defeat to Brazil, Vinicius Jr. expressed his sadness over Kyle Walker’s injury during the contest.
A few days later, John Stones also had to be brought off due to suffering an abductor muscle problem during the Three Lions’ 2-2 draw against Belgium.
Pep Guardiola has admitted that considering the games were mere friendlies ahead of Manchester City’s two-legged Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid, he was fuming that Walker and Stones were injured.
Guardiola said: “Never was so angry, like that moment. Never ever before I was so disappointed. It was a friendly game and we’re playing quarter-finals against [Real] Madrid and the Premier League to win it, for a friendly game, come back, two players injured, I didn’t like it at all.”
Walker and Stones both started only one out of the two legs against Carlo Ancelotti’s side.
Eventually, Real Madrid went through on penalties at the Etihad Stadium.
However, it did not help Guardiola’s case that two of his experienced defenders were not available for selection in one of the two crucial outings.
Gareth Southgate refuted Guardiola’s new claim by justifying starting Stones
In March, Gareth Southgate justified the subsequently injured Stones in a friendly against Belgium at the time by claiming that he had not been playing for two weeks in any case.
“We measure everything and the first game for him wasn’t a high-level, in terms of the intensity. We’ve done exactly what Holland did with Virgil van Dijk tonight. What Norway did with Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard, starting them again.”
“Holland also started [Nathan] Ake again so it only ever seems to fall on us when there’s a question around that.”
“John [Stones] also came off the back of not playing for two weeks. So, it’s not that it’s an overload situation. But I hate sending players back to their clubs if they’re not fully fit, of course.”
Ultimately, Pep Guardiola’s complaint is justifiable to say the least as if England were playing in competitive fixtures, Gareth Southgate’s decision would have been a fair one.
Also considering that especially in Stones’ case, Jarrad Branthwaite was available to take his place.
The Manchester City boss will be hoping none of his key players pick up injuries during November’s international break.
