City returned to action with a 3-1 win over West Ham United on Saturday, maintaining our 100% start to the new league campaign.
It was our first fixture since the recent international break, which saw 15 members of the squad called up to represent their country.
Before the end of September, Guardiola’s men are in action another four times, including our Champions League Group G opener against Red Star Belgrade and a trip to Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup.
CITY+ | SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS EXCLUSIVE CONTENT
With Kevin De Bruyne, John Stones, Mateo Kovacic and Jack Grealish all absent from our triumph over the Hammers on Saturday through injury, Guardiola admitted there could be some difficult decisions around team selection on the horizon.
“That is a problem when you have a lot of injuries, not today, but the effect is in three, four or five games,” the boss explained after our win against West Ham.
“In the Carabao Cup, we have to go away to Newcastle. I am sorry but there are games where we are going play with the second team, some players, because we cannot with the dangers.
“Kevin [De Bruyne] is still out, John [Stones] is still out, Kova [Mateo Kovacic], I don’t know, Jack [Grealish] I don’t know. So, when you have all the squad you go to Newcastle with a good team.
“That’s why now it’s just to rest, to recover well, to train fit and try to arrive on the day of the game in as best a condition as possible.
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL MAN CITY APP
“We cannot waste energy... These guys were playing 90 minutes for the national teams and travel like from Bolivia and Ederson from Brazil. It’s so exhausting for them.
“Just take a look at how many injuries there are for all the teams. Look at [Edson] Alvarez of West Ham after 15/20 minutes of the second half he’s out. Why? He’s come from South America jet lagged, 12 13 hours come here to play against City.
“We treat the players in not a good way. We are so irresponsible in how we treat the players.”
Hear Guardiola’s post-match thoughts in full via the video above…
