Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola, commented on the team’s performance amidst a challenging fortnight and two consecutive draws in the Premier League, sharing his thoughts on player absences and tactical adjustments.
Expressing frustration about the absence of key players, Rodri and Kevin De Bruyne, Pep Guardiola said, “Of course we are going to miss Rodri, the physicality, the presence. But he is not there.”
He emphasized the need to find solutions for playing without Rodri and predicted that questions about the midfielder’s absence would increase,
Pep Guardiola said “I know you are going to ask me all the time. I am going to tell you, I know you are going to ask me all the time.” He explained that the team’s formation and tactics would need adjustments in the absence of crucial players like Rodri.
Discussing the return of Phil Foden, the reigning Premier League player of the year, Guardiola acknowledged Foden’s importance but did not specify why the player hasn’t started in the league this term.
Pep Guardiola said “Phil doesn’t need time when he’s clever and fine. It’s not a problem. I know how important he is. There’s no doubt about that. With this amount of games he will have minutes that’s for sure,” he said.
Guardiola also touched on Ilkay Gundogan’s form since returning to the Etihad, hinting at his potential yet to be fully realized,
Pep Guardiola said “City had to rely on some fight and a few ‘Dark Arts’ to survive St James with a point.”
On the other hand, City’s player Rico Lewis, who was promoted to midfield for the first time this season, shared his perspective on his role and the team’s performance.
Rico Lewis said “There’s a long way in my career to go. I don’t know how things will go in the future. I like playing in the pockets, I like playing as a midfielder on the ball but I also like playing full-back. It’s not always a bad thing to have options but maybe in the future I’ll have more of a clear position,”
Lewis highlighted the challenge of adapting to playing without Rodri,
Rico Lewis said “It [finding a system without Rodri] will take time, like with anything. If anyone is injured, it’s the same. We know how important Rodri is but we can’t do anything about it and we have to crack on and sort it out ourselves. You can’t stop and think about it. It’s obviously difficult but every one of the players has a key role in the team and it’s difficult when they’re not playing and not around the squad.” He concluded on a positive note, “we have to crack on and sort it out ourselves.”
