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| Erling Haaland celebrates after Phil Foden of Manchester City scores their teams first goal during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Manchester United at Etihad Stadium on October 02, 2022 in Manchester, England. |
Manchester City will be without Kyle Walker for their third Champions League Group G game against Copenhagen on Wednesday.
The full-back suffered an injury during the Sky Blues’ 6-3 derby win against Manchester United on Sunday and was substituted before the end of the first half.
However, Rodri could be in contention for a return after he missed the derby due to injury.
“We will train this afternoon and know if Rodri is better. Kyle is out. We will see the training session,” Guardiola said in his pre-match press conference on Tuesday.
Fellow England stars John Stones and Kalvin Phillips will also miss Wednesday’s game through injury.
Erling Haaland and Phil Foden were the standout performers in City’s dominant display against United, both scoring a hat-trick.
The former is the Premier League’s top scorer with 14 goals from eight games, but is alo impressing in the Champions League, netting three goals so far.
“At his age, no-one can compete with him, no-one,” Guardiola said. “The numbers speak for itself.
“Inside the locker room, on the pitch, we see things no, on the stats that make us happy to have him here.”
Foden’s future
The Catalan also indicated plans to extend Foden’s contract after his impressive form for the club.
“[He has] A lot [of importance to the club], young player, a reality to his performances in these years,” Guardiola said. “We want him to stay for years and years.
“[He’s an] exceptional player, grew up a lot. He’s reliable, his physical condition, so intense and clever in everything.
“[He] can play every three days. Both know [him and Haaland], they can do better and hopefully they can do it.”
Expectation to win
City go into the game on the back of two wins in as many games in Group G, while Copenhagen sit third with one point.
The Sky Blues are expected to beat the Danish champions on Wednesday, but Guardiola knows ‘anything could happen’ on the night.
“Expectation is to handle the journalists and people who expect us to win,” he said. “I’m not this type of manager.
“Never play against top teams, have a lot of respect. Last season in your country and sometimes the next season have to have moments [where] you struggle.
“For one game, everything can happen. Last night I watched Copenhagen vs Dortmund and today I saw them with their new manager and against Sevilla.
“I don’t watch the table or the position, I watch who they are as a team. My staff help [me] a lot to discover.
“In front of the players we see who we face. Champions League, I have too much respect. This won’t be an exception tomorrow.”
On City’s busy schedule before the World Cup
Wednesday’s clash with Copenhagen will be one of 11 games City will play before the World Cup in November.
Guardiola is hoping his side remains focused in the Champions League, especially with them playing weekly in the competition.
“It is what it is, [you] have to pay attention,” he said. “A mistake now, you don’t have time to recover.
“With the World Cup, the schedule is like this, we have to adapt. We know how important our home games are.”
