Pep Guardiola’s side have had to manage despite a number of important figures having been sidelined at various stages of the season so far.
Kevin De Bruyne has been out since mid-August with a long-term hamstring issue while at other times John Stones, Jack Grealsh, Mateo Kovacic and Bernardo himself have all been out of action with injury.
More latterly, holding midfield anchor Rodrigo has been forced to sit out City’s last three domestic matches through suspension.
It has been a challenging scenario with City slipping to successive Premier League losses away to Wolves and Arsenal as well as seeing our Carabao Cup hopes ended at Newcastle.
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Even so, despite the many absentees, City went into the October international break lying in third place in the Premier League table just two points off top spot as well as having won the first two games of our Champions League group campaign.
And looking to the rest of the campaign, Bernardo says history shows that Guardiola’s squad know the importance of sharing the burden to help navigate the challenge of coping without influential players.
“I’m not going to lie and say that they (Rodrigo and De Bruyne) aren’t important players, of course they are,” Bernardo declared.
“Over the last few years Kevin and Rodri have been two of the most important players on the team.
“It’s also true that over the last seven years, this team has always been able to react to injuries to important players.
“So, we have to improve, those of us who are playing, and it doesn’t matter if that’s Kevin, Rodri, Ruben, whoever.
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“We have to be ready to play the best game possible and win matches.
“So, we have to look at where we can improve and do so.”
With Rodrigo sitting out the last of his three-game ban, Bernardo once again demonstrated his versatility at the Emirates by being deployed in the key midfield holding role normally occupied by the Spaniard.
Bernardo fulfilled the role in exemplary fashion and said that he was happy to help the needs of the team wherever required.
“It was what the manager asked me to do. It’s a position and a part of the pitch where I feel comfortable to play in,” the Portuguese international added.
“I’ve played in the holding midfielder role but always with two – a few years ago with Fernandinho or now with Rodri but I’ve never played there alone.
“I feel comfortable there though and I’ve played there before.”
