Pep Guardiola
Pep Guardiola
Pep Guardiola said he was 'sad' despite Manchester City ending a seven-game winless run.
The Blues returned to winning ways with a 3-0 victory over Nottingham Forest on Wednesday night with a result that the manager admitted everybody at the club needed. However, the shine from winning was dimmed for Guardiola by the loss of two defenders to injury.
Manu Akanji was taken off at half-time with a problem that was flagged shortly before the break, with Kyle Walker told to warm up and then taking the Swiss defender's place for the second half. Nathan Ake then went down holding his hamstring late on after a challenge and immediately asked to be substituted, with James McAtee taking his place.
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Guardiola thanked Akanji for playing with issues for the last two months but expects him to miss at least one game now, but Ake is set for a longer lay-off. That could leave City with just one senior centre-back fit for the Crystal Palace gam, with John Stones not close to a return.
"The problems continue with Manu and Nathan but we prove what an incredible group of players we have at our disposal," said Guardiola. "Nathan it doesn't look good, we will see tomorrow. Manu has struggled a lot over the last two months. I thank them for the effort they do.
"I’m sad for Nathan. Manu we’ll see. Maybe not Selhurst Park but Turin. Nathan I think will be longer. Phil [Foden] had bronchitis so when he has no fever he will be ready."