Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has claimed his team is in “big trouble” after collecting injuries to key players during the ill-tempered Champions League quarter-final clash with Atletico Madrid on Wednesday.
City progressed to the semi-finals 1-0 on aggregate after a goalless draw at the Wanda Metropolitano. And while Guardiola was pleased to keep alive their European ambitions, he was more concerned about the fitness of Kevin de Bruyne and Kyle Walker who were both forced off early.
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Having faced Premier League title rivals Liverpool last Sunday prior to the trip to Madrid, City face the Reds again on Saturday in the FA Cup semi-finals. Whereas Liverpool made seven changes to the team for their quarter-final second leg against Benfica, Guardiola made just two for the match in Madrid.
“Today we celebrate because it is the third time in Manchester City’s history we are in the Champions League semi-finals.” Guardiola told BT Sport.
“But we can’t forget we played three days ago, travelled, came here, have a lot of injuries now. And I don’t know what will happen in the next weeks.
“We cannot play all the time and score four or five goals, we are human beings – we come from a difficult game against Liverpool. We are in big trouble.”
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In an encounter that saw tempers flare, City had to contend with the trademark physicality of Atletico who showed far more ambition that last week’s first leg. The Spanish champions had Felipe sent off for a dangerous challenge on Phil Foden, having received an earlier booking for an elbow on the England midfielder. The second foul caused an on-field tussle, which saw Atletico defender Stefan Savic appear to headbutt Raheem Sterling and pull Jack Grealish’s hair.
The tension continued after the final whistle, with video footage appearing to show Atletico and City players and staff engaged in heated arguments in the tunnel as police arrived to intervene. There have also been claims that Guardiola had liquid thrown over him but the City manager refused to be drawn into the incident.
“Everyone saw the action. But I have nothing to say.” He said.
“It is the champion of Spain and they played with energy and, in the second half, were better than us. And we were lucky we didn’t concede. In the first half we had chances. Overall we are in the semi-finals – it is well deserved.
“The opponent is so tough. All the teams in the Champions League come here and suffer. So it is important we go through.”
Despite the ugly scenes, Guardiola praised Atletico for their performance. And he insisted he has nothing against their rugged style of play.
“I have a lot of respect for Atletico. They have a lot of merit in what they do. They can play how they want. I have never criticised Atletico’s game. And what Diego Simeone does, he knows how to do like nobody else in the world.”