Coach Pep Guardiola had words that were said to be aimed at the England team after injuring Man City’s star.
Full-back Kyle Walker on Man City’s side was unable to recover from his injury in time to go with the whole team to Spain to play in the quarter-final first leg of the Champions League against Real Madrid. Previously, Kyle Walker had to leave the field in the first half of the Three Lions’ loss to Brazil in a friendly series in March and has missed the last 3 matches for Man City.
This will be a heavy loss for Pep Guardiola when he cannot have the most optimal plan in sending anyone to accompany Real superstar Vinicius Jr. Remember that last season, it was Kyle Walker who silenced the Brazilian player in the return match at Etihad, thereby helping “The Citizens” advance straight to the final and be crowned champion.
In an interview before the match, coach Pep Guardiola implicitly criticized the England team for Walker’s injury. He said: “It happened. Real Madrid also has Courtois, Militao and Alaba, they have been lacking people for a long time. Unfortunately, Kyle was injured in a friendly match. We really want There is him, but what more can I say?
Pep added: “Injuries are part of football. Unfortunately, at this important time, we encountered many injuries in the same position. The team was forced to find a solution. In the match against Crystal Palace, I need healthy legs.
I have to wait for the doctor to give a conclusion about the players’ condition. Then I will review the match against Real Madrid and discuss with the coaching staff to make a decision on the lineup. They are people who have followed Madrid more than me.”
Besides, despite being the defending Champions League champion, Guardiola predicts that the upcoming match will be very difficult for Man City. The former Barca coach affirmed: “Two years ago we were eliminated in the last minute, last year we won. Both teams still keep the same head coach but both have changes in the player lineup.
We have a slight advantage in playing the second leg at home, where we feel extremely strong and confident. But first we have to pass 90 minutes away from home. They will press high and play very aggressively. Their team is very dangerous. If we play well and push our team high, they will have to fall back and defend. Everyone knows, not just me, that their strength lies in their state transitions. They possess incredible speed.
However, we also have to try to punish them, put pressure on them and make them feel we are here with the goal of scoring goals. Real Madrid can control many aspects of the game, but we need to show our identity.”
In addition to Walker’s absence, teammate Nathan Ake also suffered an injury and was removed from the list for Spain. Rookie Josko Gavardiol is also suspected of being injured but is still on the registration list.
The quarter-final first leg between Real Madrid and Man City will take place at 2:00 a.m. tomorrow morning (April 10).
