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PREMIER LEAGUE

Pep Guardiola provides update on Manchester City players ahead of FA Cup final

City were without some key players on Sunday.

Kieran Quaile
Kieran Quailekquaile90
Manchester City's Spanish manager Pep Guardiola walks off the pitch at the end of the English Premier League football match between Brentford and Manchester City at Gtech Community Stadium in London on May 28, 2023. (Photo by Ben Stansall / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. /
BEN STANSALLAFP

Ruben Dias, Kevin De Bruyne, Jack Grealish and Manu Akanji all missed Manchester City’s last Premier League game of the season on Sunday.

City were without the quartet for the club’s 1-0 defeat to Brentford, and speaking after the game, head coach Pep Guardiola discussed their situations.

“We had four, five players with niggles, not injuries. They were not fit for a few days,” Guardiola said.

“The guys who don’t play here were really exhausted yesterday, we spoke with them, and they said they are mentally completely drained. The guys who play today deserve it, the minutes for Nathan [Aké]. Aymeric [Laporte] comes back again with 90 minutes. Kyle [Walker] we couldn’t give him time to rest, because I don’t have many substitutions. They needed to rest. Now to arrive with the right energy for United and the final of the Champions League.”

FA Cup final

Guardiola was questioned about whether the players would be fit to play in the FA Cup final against Manchester United next week.

He continued: “The guys who are in Manchester, Ruben didn’t train for ten days, Jack Grealish neither. After Brighton Kevin [De Bruyne] felt the same feelings as before weeks ago. They couldn’t play a few games. Not a big issue. I think they will be ready [for FA Cup final]. They have to be ready in the training sessions. That’s why today was so important to see these players how they are. Phil [Foden] is in incredible form, Riyad [Mahrez] play really well, Cole [Palmer] so active in many things. We have to play who feels better in the final. That’s why it was good today to play with these guys and rest the other ones. Hopefully, other players can recover.”