Manchester City have been forced to change their training schedule to combat their biggest foe this season. Injuries and fatigue have become the biggest impediment to Pep Guardiola’s side’s bid to defend the treble this season.
With more games on the calendar both in domestic and international football, it has increased the workload on the Manchester City squad. John Stones and Kyle Walker picked up injuries during the most recent international break. Stones has since recovered from injury and returned to the City lineup. Walker remains out with a hamstring injury he suffered during England’s recent 1-nil defeat to Brazil. Nathan Ake is another player who is out due to a calf injury. The Dutch international sustained the injury in Manchester City’s nil-all draw with Arsenal after the international break. The fact that Ake played two friendlies before the Arsenal game may have contributed to his injury.
As a consequence of so much football having been played by the Manchester City squad, they have been forced to adjust their training schedule. With fatigue setting in at the business end of the season, Pep Guardiola can’t force his squad to train in their usual manner. It has required a change to balance the equation, and his squad gets the necessary rest and recovery time in between games.
Speaking in the embargoed section of his pre-game press conference before today’s crucial Premier League clash with Luton Town, Pep Guardiola explained the situation. He told the media: “We know what we have to do. We’ve done it. The people say, ‘You have done it, so you’re going to win.’ No, it’s not about that. But we have done it and know exactly what we have to do. The players will be ready. They know how tough it has been this season for many reasons, maybe one of the toughest seasons we have faced for sure. We know exactly internally how difficult it has been in many, many moments this season, and we were still there. We were there. I know the players will be ready.”
Guardiola also elaborated on the changes to the training schedule of the Manchester City squad. He added: “Don’t train, don’t train, don’t train, don’t train, massage, water, hot water, cold water. Good food and good rest. Some videos and rest, rest, rest. Energy, the day of the game, tomorrow at 3pm. This is the only thing. Otherwise, people will get injured.”
This season has become a war of attrition for Manchester City. If they are to scale the mountain again and defend the treble or retain the Premier League for the fourth consecutive season, it may well go down as their biggest achievement under Pep Guardiola. In the face of so many injuries and a tiring squad to overcome that obstacle and succeed may be a tougher victory than any earned on the pitch.
