‘We will struggle to overcome’ – Guardiola opens up on City’s injury woes

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has expressed concern over his team’s growing injury list but has called on the squad to regroup as they head to Portugal for Tuesday’s Champions League matchup against Sporting Lisbon. 

The English champions face this European test after back-to-back losses, first to Tottenham in the League Cup and then to Bournemouth in the Premier League, which marked the end of an 11-month unbeaten streak in the league.

City’s injury troubles are led by midfielder and Ballon d’Or winner Rodri, who is sidelined for the rest of the season due to a knee injury.

Key players missing from the lineup also include Oscar Bobb, Ruben Dias, Jack Grealish, and John Stones.

Although Kevin De Bruyne could potentially make a return after seven weeks out, he is unlikely to start. Meanwhile, other players like Kyle Walker, Nathan Ake, Manuel Akanji, Jeremy Doku, and Savinho remain questionable due to fitness concerns.

Despite these setbacks, Guardiola is hopeful that City will rally and deliver a strong performance in Lisbon as they look to get their Champions League campaign back on track.

“You know the situation with Rodri, nominated the best player in the world,” said Guardiola at his pre-match press conference on Monday.

“We know we will struggle, and we have to accept that, and it is fine.

“The games will be difficult; in previous seasons it was smooth. Personal reasons, injuries, we won six Premier Leagues in seven years. Things change, we have to accept that.”

Guardiola will come against one of his future rivals as Sporting boss Ruben Amorim takes charge of the Portuguese champions for the penultimate time before beginning his role as Manchester United manager.

The sides last met in the last 16 of the 2021/22 Champions League when City romped to a 5-0 victory in Lisbon and on aggregate.

“They have changed players but have same manager and same mentality,” added Guardiola on the challenge Sporting provide.

“Winning the league for first time in 20 years and then doing it again last season shows what a good job he has done.”

Bernardo Silva scored twice in City’s 5-0 win over Sporting two years ago on his return to Lisbon, where he began his career at Benfica.

He urged City not to make excuses despite their injury woes.

“With a full squad we are stronger, there’s no denying that. We have a lot of unbelievable players missing,” said Silva.

“We have not been able to count on Kevin for six weeks. Rodri is out for the season and other players out shorter times. But we never find excuses. This club was never about that.”

Both sides are unbeaten in the new Champions League format with seven points from their opening three matches.