Manchester City’s list of absentees moved up to eight on Wednesday, an alarming number given Guardiola’s small squad.
Manchester City’s 2-1 defeat against Tottenham Hotspur will have concerned Pep Guardiola for several reasons.
The Blues were cut open too often, there were a surprising number of misplaced passes and City lacked their usual incision in possession. However, none of those were the biggest issue for Guardiola.
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The Catalan made his pre-match fears clear in Tuesday’s press conference: “No injuries, please.”
But that wish was dashed before a ball was even kicked at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as Manuel Akanji was forced to drop out of the starting XI after sustaining a knock in the warm-up. “In the last action, he felt something in the muscular part of his body and today in the warm-up he didn't feel good,” Guardiola explained after the game. “He said, 'No I can take a risk', and I said, 'No, no risk’.”
With no Akanji, Ruben Dias was hastily prepared to start at the heart of defence alongside John Stones, but the Portugal international was at fault for the game’s first goal as he followed Brennan Johnson high up the pitch, leaving a huge gap for the opposition to attack into. Seconds later, Timo Werner tapped in at the back post to give Spurs an early lead.
That advantage was doubled when Pape Sarr curled in from the edge of the area and, although Matheus Nunes pulled one back before the break, City couldn’t find an equaliser in the second period.
The disappointing night was compounded when Savinho was replaced with what looked like a serious injury just after the hour. It was an innocuous moment, as Savinho’s cross deflected for a corner. He turned and jogged away, but minutes later was writhing on the ground in agony.
A stretcher was required and the Brazilian seemed in substantial pain as he made his way off the pitch. It looks unlikely that Savinho will be available to face Bournemouth at the weekend, and with Oscar Bobb, Jeremy Doku and Jack Grealish out it means City could be without all four wingers for the trip to the south coast.
Guardiola confirmed post-match that Grealish is unlikely to be back in time, along with Kyle Walker, while no return date has yet been provided for Kevin De Bruyne’s ongoing injury woes. Rodri’s long-term absence could bring the number of players missing against Bournemouth up to eight. “Tomorrow we have two keepers and Erling Haaland for a training session,” Guardiola joked.
The only upside of Wednesday’s defeat was a positive impact from City’s youngsters. Nico O’Reilly played a part in the build-up to Nunes’ goal, Jacob Wright nearly found the back of the net in the second period, while late substitute Jahmai Simpson-Pusey was one of the team’s best performers during his late cameo. City fans might get used to the sight of the trio over the coming weeks, Guardiola has no other option.