Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has openly expressed his concerns over his squad’s severe injury crisis following their recent 2-1 Carabao Cup defeat to Tottenham Hotspur. With only 13 senior players currently available, Guardiola acknowledged that his team is under considerable strain ahead of a packed schedule that includes three away games within a week. The loss to Tottenham not only handed City their first defeat of the season but also highlighted the team’s thin ranks as they contend with multiple injuries across key positions.
In the build-up to Wednesday’s fourth-round Carabao Cup match, Guardiola was already dealing with the absences of Kyle Walker, Rodri, Oscar Bobb, Jeremy Doku, Kevin De Bruyne, and Jack Grealish. Adding to his concerns, Manuel Akanji was withdrawn shortly before kickoff due to muscle discomfort, and young forward Savinho was stretchered off in the second half following a hard knock in the penalty area. “We have 13 players available, so we are in real difficulty,” Guardiola admitted, underscoring the impact of these injuries on his selection options. He added, “The guys that play finish most of them with problems, and we’ll see how they recover.”
Reflecting on the limited roster, Guardiola revealed that only two goalkeepers and striker Erling Haaland were slated to participate in the team’s training session the following day. “Tomorrow, we have two keepers and Erling Haaland for the training session,” he stated bluntly, emphasizing the strain on his squad. The manager expressed that this is an unprecedented situation for him in his nine years at City, explaining that he had never faced so many injuries simultaneously. He remains hopeful, however, that his players will rally together and push through this difficult period. “In these situations, the players make a step forward and are more together than ever. That’s how we’ll approach this week to recover as best we can,” Guardiola said.
The injuries come at a crucial point in the season, with a string of important fixtures looming on the horizon. First up is an away match against Bournemouth in the Premier League, followed closely by a Champions League clash with Sporting Lisbon, and then a domestic league game against Brighton. Under normal circumstances, this series of matches might not raise major concerns for Guardiola’s side, but with the current injury situation, the task appears daunting. The manager hinted that he may be forced to call upon players from City’s Academy to fill in for the senior players. “We have the Academy, and if the seniors cannot be there, we’ll do it. And we’re going to Bournemouth to compete,” he said, noting that he’s prepared to rely on young talent if necessary.
The loss of Manuel Akanji in the warm-up added to the frustration. Guardiola explained that the Swiss defender felt discomfort during a final drill and wisely decided against taking any risks. “Akanji felt something in the muscular part of his body, and today in the warm-up he didn’t feel good. He said he could take a risk, and I said no, no risk,” Guardiola recounted. Ruben Dias, too, has been “struggling in some moments,” making it increasingly challenging for Guardiola to field a fully fit defense. “It’s been getting more difficult game by game,” he remarked, noting that his defenders have been pushing through with minor injuries in order to keep the team competitive.
Savinho’s injury further compounded City’s woes, as the young forward was stretchered off in visible discomfort. Guardiola hopes the injury is minor, describing it as a “knock in the 18-yard box, a potential penalty,” and said that the extent of the injury would be assessed in the coming days. The decision to leave Haaland on the bench, despite City’s need for a goal, was a calculated risk by Guardiola, who prioritized the striker’s long-term fitness over the immediate result. “I didn’t want to take a risk with him today in this competition. The game against Southampton was so demanding,” he explained. While Guardiola acknowledged that the Carabao Cup is an important competition, he views it as an opportunity to evaluate his team’s resilience and ability to adapt under challenging circumstances. “I like to see the team, how we behave, the courage and solidarity of how we play,” he said.
As the final minutes ticked away and City pressed for an equalizer, many expected Guardiola to turn to Haaland for a late push. However, the City boss stood firm on his decision to keep the prolific striker on the sidelines, choosing instead to introduce Jahmai Simpson-Pusey, one of the team’s younger talents. This move illustrated Guardiola’s unwillingness to risk Haaland’s health in a match that was not critical to their season’s objectives.
The Carabao Cup exit, while disappointing, is not the main focus for Guardiola, who is more concerned with how his team will fare in the weeks to come. With a limited squad, he faces a significant test of his management skills as he navigates the club through a stretch of away games with few reinforcements. “It’s tough,” Guardiola admitted, but he commended the commitment of his players who continue to fight through injuries. “The guys who are here, making an effort to be with us, playing with pain and focus for us, these guys I will not forget,” he said.
Ultimately, this phase could serve as a defining moment for Manchester City’s season, as the squad’s depth and Guardiola’s resourcefulness are tested to their limits. How well he manages his squad’s fitness and maintains morale during this period could be crucial in determining City’s success across all competitions this season. With upcoming games in both the Premier League and Champions League, Guardiola will need to rely on a mix of veteran resilience and youthful ambition to keep City on track. The situation is a reminder of the unpredictable nature of football, where even the best teams must sometimes adapt to circumstances beyond their control.