Guardiola Embraces Extra Day of Preparation for Juventus Match

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola welcomed the additional day to prepare for their upcoming Champions League match against Juventus, recognizing the opportunity for his squad to recover after Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace. The result, a setback in their pursuit of the Premier League title, was made even more challenging by the absence of key players such as Rodri, Mateo Kovacic, John Stones, and Phil Foden due to injury and illness.

Manuel Akanji and Nathan Ake were the latest to join the growing list of absentees, both suffering injuries in the previous week’s 3-0 victory over Nottingham Forest. Guardiola noted that the team’s medical staff was working diligently to get the players back to full fitness, but also emphasized that injuries are an unavoidable aspect of football.

“We don’t feel sorry for ourselves,” Guardiola stated. “We accept the challenge, and perhaps in the end, we’ll find greater satisfaction in how we respond to adversity than in previous seasons when we won titles.”

City’s recent form in the Champions League has been concerning, having suffered a 4-1 loss to Sporting and a 3-3 draw with Feyenoord in their last two fixtures.