The increase in the number of games that top clubs annually play has also increased the number of injured players. While most of them get sidelined during club activities, numerous players have recently been injured during international duties, especially in the Premier League. For instance, Arsenal’s Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka, Liverpool’s Harvey Elliot, Chelsea’s Malo Gusto, and Man City’s Nathan Ake were all sidelined during their national team activities.Music for the ears of City fans: Pep close to deciding on his futureGiven that his club is also affected by this “phenomenon,” Pep Guardiola commented on it at the pre-match press conference ahead of the Champions League game against the Czech side Sparta Prague at Etihad (22.00).”When I was a player the national team manager called the clubs, now nobody talks [about] how they feel, how they are. Maybe the physios talk but the managers never ever. In the first or second season with Gareth yes, but now no,” revealed Guardiola via Daily Mail.”Pep, you ruined football! I couldn’t find a club for four years because of you”The Spaniard also remembered the two particular injuries – John Stones and Kyle Walker’s – that enraged him the most.”I was never so angry as that moment [in March]. Never ever before I was so disappointed. It was a friendly game and we were playing the quarter-finals against Real Madrid and to win the Premier League. For a friendly game, for two players coming back injured. No, no, no. I didn’t like it, at all,” the tactician disclosed.”I didn’t like it, at all!” 😠Pep Guardiola says he has never been “so angry” as when defender John Stones was injured in an England friendly last season 😬 pic.twitter.com/c43V3KfIOY— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) October 22, 2024 He also expressed appreciation for representing countries but also demanded respect for the clubs.”I always encourage them to go to the national team, but if it’s a friendly game you cannot come back injured, I’m sorry. If you are focused, if it is a friendly game you cannot come back injured when you are playing the quarter finals of the Champions League. We are well-paid here. The club pay us, not the national teams. Sometimes you have to respect the clubs. In friendly games you cannot be injured. You can play, absolutely, but you cannot come back injured,” Guardiola stated.🎙️ Pep Guardiola: “Joško Gvardiol cannot play all the games, every three days, that’s why we need Nathan Ake! Otherwise we cannot compete until the end..” pic.twitter.com/kAkwKry2We— eric kimuku (@erickimuku) October 22, 2024 Finally, he touched on the current situation within his squad and the most recently injured, Nathan Ake.”Nathan was injured for the national team the last two times. It happens. But Josko [Gvardiol] cannot play all the minutes, we need Nathan. Otherwise we cannot compete until the end. Today in the modern football I think the most important thing is not training but to be fit, no injuries. If you’re injured, you lose eight games. Muscular, you lose eight games. No injuries is the only reason why you can arrive at the end of the season. That’s why you have to be so careful. I pray they are fit. There is no solution if they are out for a month and a half,” Pep concluded.Apart from the aforementioned Dutchman, the Cityzens’ gaffer won’t be able to count on the long-injured Rodri, Kevin De Bruyne, and Oscar Bobb, as well as the captain Walker due to illness.UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE – ROUND 3TuesdayAC Milan – Club Brugge 3-1 (1-0)/Pulisic 34, Reijnders 61, 71 – Sabbe 51/Monaco – Crvena Zvezda 5-1 (2-1)/Minamino 21, 70, Embolo 45+4, Singo 54, Akliouche 90+6 – Ndiaye 27 pen/Arsenal – Shakhtar 1-0 (1-0)/Riznyk 29 og/Aston Villa – Bologna 2-0 (0-0)/McGinn 55, Duran 64/Girona – Slovan B. 2-0 (1-0)/Gutierrez 42, Juanpe 73/Juventus – Stuttgart 0-1 (0-0)/Toure 90+2/PSG – PSV 1-1 (0-1)/Hakimi 55 – Lang 34/Real Madrid – Dortmund 5-2 (0-2)/Rudiger 60, Vinicius Jr. 63, 86, 90+3, Vazquez 83 – Malen 30, Gittens 34/Sturm – Sporting 0-2 (0-1)/Santos 23, Gyokeres 53/Wednesday19:45: (1.45) Atalanta (4.50) Celtic (7.00)19:45: (6.25) Brest (4.70) Leverkusen (1.48)22:00: (1.53) Atl.Madrid (4.00) Lille (6.75)22:00: (2.40) Barcelona (3.60) Bayern (2.80)22:00: (1.62) Benfica (3.90) Feyenoord (5.60)22:00: (1.07) Man.City (13.0) Sparta Praha (25.0)22:00: (4.00) RB Leipzig (3.60) Liverpool (1.90)22:00: (1.75) Salzburg (3.60) Dinamo Zagreb (4.90)22:00: (8.00) Young Boys (4.70) Inter Milan (1.40)***odds are subject to change***
