Pep Guardiola warns Man City in ‘big, big trouble’ as he faces selection dilemma after star man asked for a rest
PEP GUARDIOLA claims Manchester City are in “big, big trouble” due to fitness concerns amid a hectic schedule.
Following City’s 3-3 draw with Real Madrid earlier this week, Rodri admitted he desperately needed a rest having already played almost 3,500 minutes of football this season.
He said: “I do need a rest. Let’s see how we speak, how we live the situation.
“Sometimes it is what it is. I need to adjust but rest is something we are planning.”
Rodri could be handed a break when City host Luton this weekend.
But with Kyle Walker, Kevin De Bruyne and Phil Foden all concerns ahead of the clash, Guardiola suggested he may be forced to play.
The City boss said: “I didn’t speak with him but if he needs a rest he will have rest. Or no. I don’t know.
“I have the feeling that the games when he was tired like against Crystal Palace and Madrid, he was better in the second half.
“He runs more and was more precise in the second half than the first. More than the physicality, it is a case of Spending mental energy.
“Playing every three days, three days. Of course he’s tired, playing a lot of minutes. Rodri is so important for us and we’ll decide tomorrow what we have to do.
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“If a player doesn’t want to play then he’s not going to play. Simple. Another one will play. If he’s exhausted, it can happen and another player is going to play.
“It’s not just Rodri. I’d love to rest central defenders but we don’t have them. In the [international] friendly games they were injured and we are in big, big trouble. So they cannot rest.”
Walker and John Stones both suffered injuries while on international duty with England last month.
While Stones returned to action earlier this month, Walker is yet to get back to full fitness.
Discussing the full-back’s current situation, Guardiola added: “I don’t know right now. Honestly I would tell you.
“Josko [Gvardiol] was a doubt for Madrid, but our physios did an incredible job, and he could play.”
Man City face Luton this weekend before hosting Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-final second-leg.