Manchester Metropolis boss Pep Guardiola says he has “no doubts” that Phil Foden will begin to present his finest type once more.
Foden has endured an injury-hit begin to the marketing campaign after selecting up an harm after Euro 2024, with the England midfielder’s solely begin this time period coming within the Carabao Cup in opposition to Watford.
The 24-year-old performed 24 minutes of Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Newcastle and Guardiola believes the playmaker is displaying indicators of returning to final season’s type.
“I can have some doubts in lots of issues however Phil might be again. Three minutes in at St James’ Park I noticed one thing I preferred – one thing I didn’t see in opposition to Watford”, Guardiola stated forward of Tuesday’s Champions League recreation at Slovan Bratislava.
“We can’t overlook after the Euros had been two months with out coaching with just a few niggles and a few issues. Now he’s smiling a bit and a bit in his rhythm.
“We can’t overlook we’ve performed with out him however he is a crucial participant for us and I don’t have any doubts the way in which he like to play soccer he might be again and he’ll assist us like he has since he landed in Man Metropolis.
“He has been not coaching, had niggles however now he’s smiling a bit bit and in his rhythm. He might be again.”
JOHN 💬 On the finish of the day, it’s a recreation of soccer in opposition to a top quality group. You may get sucked into what goes on across the recreation. We’re targeted on doing the job at hand. We all know how tough it’s going to be. We have now come right here to win and that gained’t be simple. It’s one other… pic.twitter.com/d417vqV8vo
— Manchester Metropolis (@ManCity) September 30, 2024
De Bruyne harm information
Guardiola has additionally been with out influential midfielder Kevin de Bruyne after the Belgian was compelled off of their first Champions League recreation of the season in opposition to Inter Milan.
The Catalan boss says the 33-year-old will miss the midweek conflict in Slovakia in addition to their house conflict with Fulham on Saturday however he’ll return after the worldwide break.
“Hopefully after the worldwide break he [Kevin] might be again,” Guardiola stated.
“All people is prepared – we’ll put out the very best group attainable to compete and beat them.”
Slovan Bratislava preview
Metropolis are trying to find their first Champions League win of the season after being held to a 0-0 draw by Inter on the Etihad.
A visit to Bratislava, who have been overwhelmed 5-1 by Celtic of their opener, presents a very good alternative for the 2023 winners to style victory.
Talking about Tuesday’s opponents, Guardiola stated: “It’s a group that performs with some braveness. I noticed the sport in opposition to Glasgow [Celtic] and in sure moments they don’t seem to be scared to play. They hyperlink very well with the strikers.
“I’ve big respect for all of the groups particularly after we play away. I’ll attempt to analyse what they do, the patterns they do, and play our recreation.
PEP 💬 [Slovan Bratislava] is a group that I’d say performs with braveness. I noticed the sport in opposition to Glasgow Celtic and so they weren’t scared to play. Not scared to hyperlink with their striker and so they wish to strive it… I at all times have unbelievable respect for all of the groups, particularly when… pic.twitter.com/UPKZ4h1eQz
— Manchester Metropolis (@ManCity) September 30, 2024
“In England, we don’t have the rights to see the Slovakian League. I’ve big, big respect for them and we’re going to try to analyse what they do, the patterns they do, and attempt to impose our recreation.”
However general, Guardiola is aware of Metropolis will go in as favourites, including: “We settle for it. It isn’t a giant deal. We begin 0-0 the identical, 11 in opposition to 11 and in the identical circumstances.
“We have now to show we’re higher. The remainder I’m not involved a lot with to be trustworthy.”
