Pep Guardiola, manager of Manchester City, explained that his 16 players who participated in the World Cup are gradually returning and are now in better condition than those who stayed “like Sergio (Gómez), Erling (Haaland), Riyad (Mahrez) and Cole (Palmer)”. The ‘citizen’ coach spoke to the media on the eve of his side taking on Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool on Thursday in the round of 16 of the Carabao Cup in another great clash between two great rivals. The ‘reds’ will face Real Madrid in the Champions League round of 16, a repeat of the last final, won by Carlo Ancelotti’s men.
Guardiola explains about his World Cup: “They lived an incredible and unique experience. Fortunately they will be back, they will work well and in four years they will have another experience in Canada, Mexico and the United States. Now the players who were in the World Cup are in better condition than those who stayed here. Sergio (Gomez), Erling (Haaland), Riyad (Mahrez) and Cole (Palmer) lost a bit of pace compared to Rodri and Manuel Akanji.”
The coach of Manchester City assured about the situation of his team: “I am not worried about March or April. Now the players have had different coaches, different competition… Tomorrow (this Thursday) there us an important game, then the Premier against Leeds. The January schedule is demanding, which is why we want the World Cup players back as soon as possible.”
In the 2022-23 Premier, Manchester City are now 2nd, 5 points behind the leaders, Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal. Meanwhile, Liverpool are 6th to 5th at the ‘gunners’ and 15th at Pep Guardiola’s, current champions. The ‘reds’, runners-up and experiencing a very difficult season in the Premier.
Source: La Verdad
I’m Rose Herman and I work as an author for Today Times Live. My expertise lies in writing about sports, a passion of mine that has been with me since childhood. As part of my job, I provide comprehensive coverage on everything from football to tennis to golf.
