‘Klopp said it in the past’ – Guardiola says ’40-player squads’ are the only solution to current fixture demands | OneFootball

Manchester City have suffered a lot with injuries this season, with Manuel Akanji and Jack Grealish the latest to be hit, and Pep Guardiola has claimed the only solution to fixture congestion is “40-player squads”.

Akanji and Grealish were both injured during the Champions League game against Real Madrid on Tuesday, and could only watch on from the sideline as their side let a 2-1 lead slip to lose 3-2.

Guardiola was asked about the hectic schedule and the impact on players: “(We) always expect injuries during the season. Not as much (as this), but I would think it’s not just a problem for Man City. So if you ask Tottenham, Arsenal right now, (most teams) except Liverpool, that all the season were so stable.

“You go (look at) Real Madrid for example as well, many teams when you accumulate season on season on season, it’s like what happened with Manu (Akanji) at the end. The body said it’s enough. The solution to prevent that, I think Jurgen Klopp in the past, myself in the past, and right now, have said, it’s just the calendar. I don’t see another reason why there are a lot a lot of injuries.

“The only solution is 40-player squads. That is impossible. It would bankrupt all the clubs. How do you sustain 40 players salaries? It’s impossible.”

Given the constant injury problems as well as two crushing defeats in their last three games, Guardiola admits he is concerned about playing Newcastle tomorrow.

“Do you think we can compete against the physicality of Newcastle? We will have to defend compact and play better with the ball….. Bruno, Tonali, Longstaff, Willock, Joelinton, they are stronger, they are quicker, they are faster than our players.”

City are level on points with Eddie Howe’s side, and the game is crucial in the race for the top four.

Both teams are on 41 points and Newcastle go into the game full of confidence after back-to-back cup wins, while City are looking to bounce back from that defeat to Real Madrid.