Pep Guardiola: "We Are in Real Difficulties" Amid Injury Crisis

Pep Guardiola expressed serious concerns about Manchester City’s squad depth after his team faced multiple injuries during their League Cup defeat at Tottenham. Following the loss, Guardiola revealed that his squad now comprises just “13 players,” as they already played without six first-team members. The situation worsened when defender Manuel Akanji suffered a calf injury during warm-up and forward Savinho was stretchered off in the 63rd minute after injuring his ankle.

Ruben Dias, who left the game at halftime, is also struggling with his fitness. Guardiola lamented, “We are in real difficulties,” noting that the team has never encountered so many injuries in his nine years as coach. He added that the players who continue to participate often finish matches with physical problems and the club is facing significant recovery challenges.

Among the long-term absentees are defensive midfielder Rodri, who ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament and will miss the remainder of the season and attacking midfielder Oscar Bobb, who fractured his leg. Kevin de Bruyne is sidelined with a thigh injury while Kyle Walker is out with a knee issue. Furthermore, forwards Jeremy Doku and Jack Grealish remain unavailable.

Guardiola indicated that Doku is unlikely to return before the November international break. Before the Tottenham match, Guardiola had only named seven substitutes which included two goalkeepers in a prior game against Sparta Prague. Despite the challenges, the young players displayed promise with 19-year-old Nico O’Reilly nearly scoring an equalizer against Spurs.

Pep Guardiola acknowledged that if the injured players do not return soon, Manchester City may struggle to compete effectively across multiple competitions, emphasizing the urgent need for reinforcements.