Guardiola Faces Defensive Crisis Amidst Season’s Collapse
Manchester City’s defensive stalwart, Ruben Dias, has been ruled out for three to four weeks due to a muscular injury, further complicating Pep Guardiola’s efforts to turn around the team’s dismal recent performance. Dias, who had just returned from a November calf injury, will miss the upcoming match against Aston Villa.
Guardiola on Dias and Ederson’s Fitness
Speaking ahead of the Villa game, Guardiola confirmed, “Ruben is out for a long time and Ederson, I don’t know if he will be ready tomorrow.” He further detailed that Dias experienced discomfort after playing 75 minutes against Manchester United.
Injury Update and Team Form
The injury list doesn’t end with Dias; goalkeeper Ederson’s readiness is also in question. However, there’s some relief as defenders Manuel Akanji and John Stones have returned to full training. Guardiola noted, “Manuel and John are back in training. That is good for us. As many players that are back the better.” However, their availability for the match remains uncertain.
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City’s Struggles Continue
Manchester City has been in free fall, losing eight of their last eleven matches across all competitions, which has seen them drop to fifth in the Premier League. This poor run is the worst Guardiola has experienced in his illustrious managerial career, spanning Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and now City.
Guardiola’s Defiant Stance
Despite the challenges, Guardiola remains determined, emphasizing resilience. “If you fall down six times, you have to stand up seven,” he remarked, showing his resolve to combat the team’s current slump. He acknowledged the emotional toll but maintained a focus on moving forward, stating, “We have to start again but we don’t know what will happen (at Villa Park). We have to try it again and sooner or later it will turn around.”
