PREMIER LEAGUE
Pep Guardiola provides update on Manchester City players ahead of FA Cup final
City were without some key players on Sunday.
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.”