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Rob DawsonCorrespondent
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has blasted “stupid” Kyle Walker for picking up a Champions League suspension that has remaining him with no a ideal-back for the round-of-16 second-leg tie with Sporting Lisbon on Wednesday.
Guardiola reported he did not agree with City’s choice to attraction the three-video game ban that will also rule Walker out of the quarterfinal first leg.
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Walker was revealed a purple card for kicking Andre Silva during the 2-1 defeat to RB Leipzig in the ultimate group recreation in December.
Guardiola explained he has still not forgiven the England defender, specifically following the other correct-back in the squad, Joao Cancelo, was dominated out of the match versus Sporting due to the fact of illness.
“He deserved it [the suspension], he deserved the three, he did a silly matter,” Guardiola told a news meeting on Tuesday.
“I am not sort to Kyle for this sort of action. I’m nonetheless so offended with him. He is aware of it, it really is not important. He deserved it. The club appealed but I did not agree. Hopefully he realized.”
With Town leading 5- from the very first leg in Portugal, Guardiola has the luxurious of remaining equipped to relaxation midfielder Kevin De Bruyne for the second leg at the Etihad Stadium, with the Belgian midfielder just one yellow card away from suspension.
Nevertheless, the Spanish mentor said he is nonetheless to solve the trouble at suitable-back again induced by Walker’s suspension.
“I will not know [who will play],” Guardiola claimed.
“[John] Stones? Fernandinho maybe? We’ll communicate with some gamers, we are going to converse about the academy.
“We really don’t have quite a few players, just 14 offered. Of program we experienced an unbelievable end result in the 1st leg but soccer is unpredictable, red playing cards, excellent of opponent.
“We are going to take a top rated facet as much as achievable. Not several solutions but we will do the ideal group possible to acquire the recreation.”
City are even now in the hunt for the Premier League title, Champions League and FA Cup a treble that would emulate Manchester United’s accomplishment in 1999.
Guardiola has played down the prospects of lifting all 3 trophies, but goalkeeper Ederson said he thinks the squad can do it.
“Undoubtedly,” Ederson explained.
“We know how complicated it is. That is really demanding on the entire team. We know how tough it is but we have the good quality to do this.
“We have revealed this earlier and we are showing it at the instant. I imagine we are fully able of meeting this accomplishment.”