Pep Guardiola has stated that Manchester City are facing a challenging season – “a season to survive” – in their bid to retain the Premier League title after being held to a 2-2 draw by Crystal Palace. City managed to avoid a sixth consecutive away defeat in all competitions, thanks to goals from Erling Haaland and Rico Lewis, which canceled out Crystal Palace’s efforts from Daniel Muñoz and Maxence Lacroix. However, Lewis, who filled in at left-back due to injuries to Nathan Aké and Manuel Akanji, is expected to miss next Sunday’s Manchester derby at the Etihad after receiving a second yellow card in the 84th minute, leaving the visitors with 10 men at Selhurst Park.
City are already dealing with the absence of several first-team players as they prepare to face Juventus in Turin on Wednesday in the Champions League. Guardiola acknowledged that injuries have significantly impacted his squad. City currently trail leaders Liverpool by eight points, having played one game more. “It’s a season to survive. We cannot talk about the title race when we lose four games in a row and draw,” he said. “Unfortunately, we are missing an important player for us this season for the next game against United at home. But in general, what they have done in the circumstances is really good.
“We knew it from the beginning that we have been unlucky in many things and we have to continue with that with the players we have at our disposal.” Jack Grealsih and Jérémy Doku were brought on as late substitutes despite Guardiola expressing concern about their workload. While he was not pleased with his side’s defending for Palace’s second goal from a corner, he was pleased that Haaland found the net, moving him level with Mohamed Salah on 13 league goals. “We are lucky we have him,” he said. “We are so lucky we have him this season, lucky we have Rico [Lewis], lucky we have Bernardo [Silva], Gundo [Ilkay Gündogan], all these players, Josko [Gvardiol]. All these players that all season have been playing and playing without rest. We are so lucky for these four, five, six players …”
The Palace manager, Oliver Glasner, felt his side could have achieved more against the reigning champions. “After having the lead twice, especially after 2-1 we got too passive,” he said. “It’s not that easy against City. It’s not a criticism of the players but when you’re in your own third it’s a matter of time. A gap of one yard they find it with one or two touches.”
Source link: https://www.theguardian.com
