Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is focusing on preserving his squad’s well-being ahead of their Carabao Cup clash with Tottenham, as the team faces a critical injury crisis.
Six first-team players, including Ballon d’Or winner Rodri and Kevin De Bruyne, are currently sidelined, severely limiting Guardiola’s options.
“We have a few players,” Guardiola acknowledged. “We are going to try and do a good game to try to go through… no injuries please.”
City’s injury list includes Kyle Walker, Jack Grealish, Jeremy Doku and Oscar Bobb, forcing Guardiola to consider fielding a youthful starting XI.
Despite City’s impressive history in the competition, including four consecutive Carabao Cup wins from 2018 to 2021, Guardiola’s primary objective is to avoid further injuries.
The match against Tottenham on Wednesday will test City’s resilience, with Guardiola prioritising player safety over securing a victory.
With the international break approaching, Guardiola aims to navigate this challenging period without exacerbating the injury crisis.
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[…] Guardiola remains optimistic, highlighting the opportunity for his players to “make a step forward” and come together in the face of adversity. However, the injury crisis has undoubtedly raised concerns about City’s ability to maintain their momentum in the season ahead. […]