Pep Guardiola has confirmed the entire Manchester City squad is fit apart from Nathan Ake ahead of tomorrow’s Champions League meeting with Olympiacos. City had been without Ake as well as Benjamin Mendy and Fernandinho in recent weeks while Sergio Aguero returned during the weekend’s defeat against Tottenham. The Blues can all but secure passage to the knockout stages of the competition with a victory in Greece after winning all three of their group stage fixtures thus far. Guardiola confirmed he has a full squad available for selection with both Fernandinho and Mendy back in training.
Pep Guardiola said “Everyone is fit except Nathan, It’s important for competition. The players have to know – and they know it – that it depends on their performances on the pitch whether they can play regularly. When you have 16 out with injuries or COVID from the beginning of the season like we have in different periods – not altogether but 16 different guys being out – it is more difficult to have the competition between themselves. That is the key when you play top teams in all competitions. Now we have it and they have to know that if they play well they can continue and if they don’t then they have the chance to be replaced. It is important to have everyone and that is what we are looking for.”e players ahead of the gruelling festive schedule. I have full respect for Olympiacos. I know they have struggled as we did at the beginning of the season with injuries but they remain a team built to win every game and even though they have some injuries and struggle. I have all the respect and I am more concerned about what we have to do as a team to try to win another game.”
