Pep Guardiola has called on his Manchester City squad to embrace the challenges of a gruelling campaign as they fight to retain their Premier League title despite a season plagued by injuries and absences.
Man City faced a tough test on Saturday in a hard-fought 2-2 draw against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
Rico Lewis, who scored a crucial equaliser, later saw red and will now miss the highly anticipated Manchester derby.
The game highlighted City’s struggles, with Guardiola missing seven key players due to injury or illness.
Despite the setbacks, the City boss remained steadfast, emphasising: “It’s football, and we know that this season will be like this.” What I said to the players (was) ‘Don’t feel sorry. Please accept the challenge’.”
Despite the setbacks, Pep Guardiola remains optimistic, believing that overcoming these challenges could bring even greater satisfaction than his previous title victories.
“It will be more difficult, but that’s what it is and maybe at the end we will have more satisfaction, in the way that we are going to (respond) to these problems, than maybe in the other seasons that we won the title,” he said.
“All teams want their players always fit and ready and unfortunately since the beginning that could not happen, and it’s going to be, I think, for longer. But one way or the other, we are going to try.”
“The season starts difficult, it will be difficult all season,” Guardiola said looking ahead to their next Champions League clash against Juventus on Wednesday.
“We have to survive the season, every game, try to take points, to try to win games and go forward.”
“Unfortunately (Lewis) is an important player for us for the next game against United at home, but in general what they have done in the circumstances is really, really good.”
“From the beginning, everything was wrong and unlucky in many things and we have to continue with that, with the players that we have at our disposal.”
Read more: Paul Pogba set for Manchester United return
West Ham forward Michail Antonio undergoes surgery on lower limb fracture after horror Ferrari crash
