Pep Guardiola ordered his Manchester City players to stay away from the training ground after a gruelling week left them playing in 'unacceptable' conditions.
03.04.2024 - 19:39 / manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Pep Guardiola says his decision to drop Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland from his line-up against Aston Villa is down to rest purposes only, amid the hectic upcoming schedule Manchester City face.
Haaland and De Bruyne have been dropped from the starting XI, the former for the first time this Premier League season aside from enforced injury omissions. The pair have a total of 50 goal contributions between them this term, equating to one a game.
The Blues face an early kick-off against Crystal Palace on Saturday ahead of the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid on Tuesday. Should City make it to both the FA Cup and European finals, they have an average of a game every three days for the rest of the season.
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As for the match with Villa, Ederson is still unavailable through injury with Kyle Walker also out while John Stones makes the bench. Guardiola has detailed why he decided to axe De Bruyne and Haaland.
Asked whether it was about managing minutes, he told TNT Sports: "In two days at 12.30pm we have another game." On the subject of squad quality, he added: "I think all the teams are top and have big squads and a good squad, and of course we have it. That is the position we decide today for this line-up, for this tough opening and go for it."
Guardiola confirmed Stones is fit enough to come on if needed, although is unsure how many minutes he is able to play. City need a win to keep pressure on league leaders Liverpool, who play tomorrow. "I prefer to be hunted," said Guardiola when asked whether he likes being in the chasing pack.
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