Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has pointed at the amount of games leading to injuries that has plagued his side this season and caused their poor form, adding that he needs a squad of 45 or 50 players to aid the situation.
The Spaniard added that his team are currently in survival mode with just three defenders available when they host Manchester United in Sunday’s derby at Etihad Stadium.
The reigning champions sit fourth on the table and have recorded just one win in their last 10 games across all competitions.
“The soul and the spirit of this team is there. I’m sad for the players, because the way they run and they fight,” said Guardiola at a press conference.
“It’s unbelievable what they do in the circumstances that we have to compete.
“In this calendar, there are more games than ever. We have more injuries than ever. And it made me reflect that maybe in this calendar you need a squad of 45, 50 players. It would be more difficult financially for the club.
“But we’re going to play the [FIFA Club] World Cup in summer. [After] three weeks, start again the Premier League. And maybe we have to have more depth of squad.
“The problem is the schedule. It’s not the training, it’s not the physios, doctors, or players. This is the truth. It’s just one problem. It’s the schedule. And the schedule, sooner or later, it will happen for all the clubs.”
City have already been knocked out of the FA Cup and are 22nd in the Champions League table after a 2-0 defeat at Juventus on Wednesday, with only the top 24 avoiding elimination.
Guardiola said he was unsure who he would have in his back line, with Manuel Akanji [abdominal] and Nathan Ake [hamstring] still out after sustaining injuries in their December 4th win over Nottingham Forest. Rico Lewis will be out due suspension while John Stones has been sidelined since hurting his foot on November 23rd.
Guardiola blames the injuries to Akanji and Ake due to the fact they had to play despite not being fully recovered from prior injuries.
“Against Bournemouth [on November 2nd] Manu and Nathan weren’t even half at their best but helped us by playing there.
“Manu plays 45 minutes and steps back and says, ‘I have to recover, or I can’t compete’,” Guardiola added.
Quizzed about strengthening his squad during the January transfer window, Guardiola shook his head.
“What I want is my players back.
“The complete squad we had at the beginning of the season. My regret is that we don’t have these, not needing new ones.”
City are also without Ballon d’Or winner Rodri for the rest of the season due to a serious knee injury.
