Pep Guardiola says Manchester City’s players are already ‘really exhausted’ following the club’s congested run of fixtures.
City secured progression to the last 16 despite being held to a goalless draw at Copenhagen in the Champions League on Tuesday evening, in a clash dominated by VAR. Guardiola’s side missed a penalty and had an early goal disallowed, in addition to Sergio Gomez’s first-half red card.
Erling Haaland was left on the bench during the draw with the Danish side and Guardiola admitted post-match that the forward was suffering from fatigue.
“He finished the game against Southampton so, so tired and didn’t recover well,” he said.
“Yesterday was not good, today (he was) a little better but not perfect so we decide not to take the risk.”
Guardiola admits his side are feeling the impact of a hectic fixture schedule, amid unprecedented congestion ahead of a mid-season World Cup. Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva also started as substitutes as City looked to rest key personnel.
“I thought about energy levels. Many players didn’t start because they are really exhausted with fatigue and some niggles.
“Phil (Foden) has also some problems and Bernardo (Silva) was so tired yesterday, he told us. The players I played felt better.”
