Rodri back and able to play ‘a few minutes’ – Pep Guardiola
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They are now in a much better position to challenge for the title and a win at the Stadium of Light tonight would move them within two points of leaders Arsenal.
“Rodri is back. He might be able to play a few minutes,” Guardiola said at the pre-match press conference.
“He’s really looking forward to it, and Doc, maybe John (Stones) and Oscar (Bob), no.
“We have seven or eight players injured, two from the African Cup of Nations and five players who are coming back little by little.
“So, team-wise, we’re not at our best right now. The schedule is really tough. But in terms of points, obviously we’re better than last season.”
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“We can win tomorrow, it’s as simple as that!” – Guardiola wants 2026 ahead of Sunderland
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City’s manager admits that the addition of Rodri has made his team much stronger, but he praised the effectiveness of the Spaniard’s acquisition last January in his absence, helping him redeem himself from a disappointing season due to his very high standards.
“If it wasn’t for those players, we wouldn’t have been able to play in the Champions League this season,” Guardiola explained.
“I think without those contracts we would have been playing in the Conference (League). Basically, we didn’t have players for a long time, but the moment we brought in new players, and then three-quarters of the season was over and other players came back, we were the best team in the Premier League in the last 10 to 15 games of the season.”
“Sometimes you have to make a decision because you’re not expecting something.”
City will be desperate for a silver medal this season after failing to add to their favorites list for the 2024/25 season.
But Guardiola has built on the efforts of his players and staff last season and their ability to overcome much adversity.
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‘I’m feeling good again!’ – Guardiola says nervous win against Forest helped take the weight off Christmas
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“What we did at the end of last season was overcome the problems we had and it was one of our best seasons as a team,” he explained.
“The players, the staff, the backroom staff that were there all season were definitely some of the best we’ve had, because that’s how you overcome problems. “From this point of view, every time I look back on what happened last season now, I’m more proud than ever of what we’ve done as a club and how we dealt with a bad worst situation.
After facing Sunderland, City will return to the Etihad Stadium for back-to-back home league games against Chelsea on January 4th and Brighton & Hove Albion on January 7th.
Exeter City face the Etihad in the FA Cup third round on January 10, before traveling to St James’ Park three days later for the League Cup semi-final first leg in the first half of a busy month.
