Pep Guardiola has expressed concerns over Manchester City's growing injury crisis as they prepare for a challenging Champions League matchup against Sporting Lisbon. With key players like Ballon d'Or winner Rodri out for the season due to a knee injury, and additional sidelined stars including Oscar Bobb, Ruben Dias, Jack Grealish, and John Stones, Guardiola admits the English champions are in a tough spot. After recent defeats to Tottenham in the League Cup and Bournemouth in the Premier League, City's injury woes have come at a critical time in their campaign. According to Lotus365 Match Predictions, these setbacks may impact City's performance as they strive to secure a win in Lisbon.
Despite the absences, Guardiola remains optimistic, encouraging his squad to bounce back in the European competition. Sporting’s manager Ruben Amorim, set to join Manchester United soon, poses a fresh challenge to Guardiola's squad. The last time the two teams met in the 2021/22 Champions League, City cruised to a 5-0 aggregate victory, but this time, the English champions are far from full strength. Lotus365 Match Predictions suggests that City's ability to overcome Sporting Lisbon will depend on both their tactical depth and their resilience in the face of current limitations.
Bernardo Silva, who scored twice in the last encounter with Sporting, emphasized the team's determination to avoid excuses. "With a full squad we are stronger, there’s no denying that, but this club was never about excuses," he said, urging teammates to focus on executing their strategies despite the challenges. Currently, both sides have earned seven points from their first three Champions League matches, leaving Tuesday’s game critical for both teams’ momentum in the tournament.
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