Home SPORTS Guardiola Speaks on Rodri, Haaland, and Upcoming Brentford Match

Guardiola Speaks on Rodri, Haaland, and Upcoming Brentford Match

Read
Pep Guardiola
Pep Guardiola on Rodri's fitness


Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola discusses Rodri's progress, Haaland's concerns, and prepares for Brentford clash.


“All I can say is that if Phil is still playing like he is playing, he will be back...”


Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola believes Rodri is still some way off from reaching full fitness, making Nico Gonzalez a better option for the upcoming match against Brentford. Despite playing 61 minutes in City's midweek Champions League match against Monaco, Rodri's recent knee problems have raised concerns about his fitness.


Guardiola has expressed caution regarding Rodri's availability, stating that the midfielder needs more time to regain his top form after struggling with fitness issues following a serious knee injury last season. As a result, Nico Gonzalez is likely to start in midfield, partnering with players like Phil Foden and Tijjani Reijnders in a predicted 4-1-4-1 lineup.




Predicted Manchester City Lineup:

Goalkeeper: Gianluigi Donnarumma

Defenders:
  • Right-back: Matheus Nunes
  • Center-back: John Stones
  • Center-back: Josko Gvardiol
  • Left-back: Sergio Gomez

Midfielders:

    Defensive midfielder: Nico Gonzalez
    
Central midfielders:
  • Phil Foden
  • Tijjani Reijnders
  • Jeremy Doku

Forwards:
    Striker: Erling Haaland
    Supporting attacker: Savinho


Guardiola's cautious approach aims to manage Rodri's minutes carefully, ensuring he recovers fully and doesn't risk further injury. With a packed schedule ahead, City will prioritize their star midfielder's fitness.


Phil Foden's England Omission: A Temporary Setback?

Phil Foden's omission from Thomas Tuchel's latest England squad has raised eyebrows, but Pep Guardiola is confident he'll make a swift return. Despite being left out for the third consecutive squad, Foden has been in excellent form for Manchester City, scoring two goals and providing two assists in seven appearances.


Guardiola praised Foden's current performance, saying, “If Phil is still playing like he is playing, he will be back.” He also emphasized that Tuchel knows what's best for the national team, adding, “Thomas knows what he needs for the national team a thousand million times better than me.”




Foden's recent form has been impressive, particularly against Brentford, where he's scored six goals in four appearances. Guardiola described Foden as “the best player we have in the small spaces in the final third by far.”


“Thomas knows what he needs for the national team a trillion times better than me,” said Guardiola.


“All I can say is that if Phil is still playing like he is playing, he will be back. 


“I am happy when players go to the national team but I am happier when they come back healthier.”


Pep Guardiola's Thoughts on Facing Brentford

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola isn't taking the upcoming match against Brentford lightly. He acknowledges that Brentford will be a tough opponent, especially given their recent form. In fact, Brentford manager Keith Andrews has been drawing inspiration from Guardiola's tactics, showcasing the respect between the two managers.


“Thomas knows what he needs for the national team a trillion times better than me,” said Guardiola.


“All I can say is that if Phil is still playing like he is playing, he will be back. 


“I am happy when players go to the national team but I am happier when they come back healthier.”

 

Recent Matchups and Statistics:

Last Meeting: Manchester City lost 2-0 against Tottenham earlier in the season.

Brentford's Recent Form: They beat Manchester United 3-1 last weekend, showing their capabilities against top teams.

Manchester City's Unbeaten Run:
City has gone six games without a loss in all competitions, with seven points from their last nine Premier League points.


Guardiola understands that his team needs to be prepared for a challenging match. He's likely to make some tactical adjustments to counter Brentford's style, which is designed to cause problems for teams that dominate possession. Andrews has praised Guardiola, calling him one of the best managers in the last 15 years and acknowledging the impact he's had on the game.



Rodri's Fitness Issues: A Cautious Approach

Manchester City's Pep Guardiola is taking a cautious approach with Rodri's fitness, revealing that the midfielder isn't ready to play 90 minutes due to ongoing issues with his tendon. Rodri was replaced by Nico Gonzalez midway through the second half against Monaco in the Champions League, not due to a fresh injury, but to manage his minutes.


Guardiola explained that Rodri's previous knee injury, an anterior cruciate ligament tear suffered last September, still affects him. The injury requires time to fully recover, and Guardiola believes it takes a minimum of one year to regain top form. Rodri's been patient and will dictate his own availability.


“Quite similar (under Andrews). Little details but quite similar to Thomas Frank,” the Man City manager stated.


“They are doing well. It’s a tough place to go. Looking forward to the last game before the international break doing what we have to do.”


Erling Haaland's Frustration After Manchester City's Draw with Monaco

Manchester City striker Erling Haaland expressed his disappointment and frustration after his team's 2-2 draw with Monaco in the Champions League. Haaland scored both of City's goals but was unhappy with the team's performance, particularly in the second half. “I'm p*ssed off, I think everyone should be. It's not good enough,” Haaland said, emphasizing that City didn't play well enough and didn't deserve to win.


Haaland criticized City's approach in the second half, saying they didn't have enough energy and didn't press Monaco as they did in the first half. He also stressed the importance of taking chances in Europe, saying “Monaco are a strong team. It wasn't easy, but we had the chances. We didn't take them.”


The draw extends City's winless run in away Champions League matches to over a year, with Haaland calling for more intensity and control from his team. City currently sit eighth in the Champions League table with four points from their opening two games, and they'll need to improve their performance to mount a serious European challenge.


“We cannot play with 12. I know Rodri is irreplaceable in many things, but he could not play three days before because his knee was in a bad, bad, bad condition,” Guardiola revealed.


“Nico Gonzalez in the 30 minutes had more recoveries in the transitions than Rodri had when he was playing. Rodri cannot play 90 minutes for many games, and Nico played really good against Burnley and is learning and improving, and we need him because Kova is not ready and Rodri cannot sustain the rhythm for games.


“He made an incredible effort against United, Napoli and Arsenal. I try to protect my players because players can be injured again and again. I want the best players there and fit, but he’s still not, so I have to protect players.”






Tags :

No comments:

Leave comment here

Subscribe to: Post Comments ( Atom )
Powered by Blogger.