Pep Guardiola is praying that his players return from their international duties without injuries.
Manchester City remains in the hunt of three more titles and that means Guardiola will need each of his players fit to engage in the games that are coming thick and fast. The Citizens dropped to the second place on the league’s log after Liverpool won their respective match on Sunday and that means there is more pressure on the defending champions to win their next game that comes after the international break.
“I pray, pray, that they come back fit. They have to go to their national teams, they have to go, enjoy and play for their country, but I hope they can come back fit like they are now. Maybe they will go away, scoring three goals and return with the same rhythm, who knows? I just want them fit and here. Sergio, David Silva, Aymeric Laporte and a few others will have a week’s rest. They will have a training programme to do a little bit each day and then a week of normal training ahead of the Fulham game.” Guardiola told Manchester City’s website.
With their participation in the Champions League, the FA Cup and the league still intact, Guardiola might see his side play up to eight games in April but with the return of the injured stars, his injury case might be eased.
“With the fixtures, we have in April, we need everybody – it’s crazy. Everybody is going to play and Kevin (De Bruyne), Ferna (Fernandinho), John (Stones), Benjamin (Mendy)… they are all going to be back soon, and we need them. Everybody has contributed, and it has been massive. We are demanding more and more, and we have to train hard and then play well as possible again and again and again,” Guardiola said.