Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has issued a positive fitness update ahead of Sunday’s Premier League clash with Brentford, following his side’s 2-2 draw away at AS Monaco in midweek Champions League action.
City’s unbeaten run since the September international break continued in France, but frustration lingered after Eric Dier’s late penalty denied Guardiola’s men all three points. Erling Haaland’s post-match criticism that his team made “too many stupid mistakes” has only increased the pressure to respond against Brentford.
Fitness Concerns and Updates
Speaking during his pre-match press conference, Guardiola confirmed that his squad came through the Monaco clash without fresh setbacks. “We will train this afternoon, but it looks good. Everybody finished [vs AS Monaco] without a problem. Yeah, fine,” he said.
However, questions remain over the availability of recent signing Rayan Cherki, who only returned to training on Tuesday after a hamstring issue. Sources suggest Guardiola may opt against risking him this weekend as the club carefully manages his recovery.
Meanwhile, Omar Marmoush and Rayan Aït-Nouri continue their respective recoveries, with Abdukodir Khusanov also expected to remain sidelined. Their absence has forced Guardiola to rely on academy talent, with Nico O’Reilly impressing in Monaco after providing the assist for Haaland’s opener.
Selection Dilemma
The intensity of City’s European clash means Guardiola faces a decision over whether to rotate his starting XI or maintain continuity. While fitness across the squad appears stable, the physical demands of the midweek fixture could influence his approach to Brentford.
Fans remain particularly interested in how Guardiola integrates his summer signings into the team once fully fit, especially Cherki, whose creativity offers another dimension to City’s evolving attack.
Looking Ahead
A victory over Brentford would restore momentum as City prepare for a busy spell of domestic and European fixtures, as well as another round of international commitments. But as Haaland warned, sharper execution and fewer mistakes will be required if Guardiola’s men are to sustain their push for silverware on all fronts.
FAQs
- Did Manchester City suffer any new injuries against Monaco?
No, Pep Guardiola confirmed that all players finished the match without new problems.
- Will Rayan Cherki feature against Brentford?
Cherki returned to training this week but may not be risked as he recovers from a hamstring issue.
- Which other players are sidelined?
Rayan Aït-Nouri, Omar Marmoush, and Abdukodir Khusanov are expected to miss the Brentford clash.
- What did Haaland say after the Monaco draw?
Haaland criticised the team for making “too many stupid mistakes” and urged improvements ahead of Brentford.
Conclusion
Pep Guardiola’s latest update suggests Manchester City are in good shape ahead of their Premier League trip to Brentford, with no fresh injury setbacks reported. While fitness news is positive, Guardiola’s side must translate their dominance into results and cut out errors if they are to maintain momentum in both domestic and European competitions. The fitness of key players such as Rayan Cherki will be closely monitored as City head into a crucial period of the season.
