Guardiola spoke to reporters when questioned on Rodri’s plea to be rested.
Manchester City head coach Pep Guardiola feels that his side “are in big, big trouble”, with players in need of a rest at this stage of the season where each game is important.
His statement came after Rodri’s comments on asking for the rest after the Champions League game with Real Madrid. Spanish midfielder said, “I do need a rest. Let’s see how we speak, how we live the situation. Sometimes it is what it is. I need to adjust. It [rest] is something we are planning, yeah.”
Guardiola has claimed that he is prepared to rest him and is also keen to rest others in a similar situation. Josko Gvardiol was a major doubt against Real Madrid before being passed fit. Kyle Walker and Nathan Ake both missed out. John Stones has struggled with injury problems this season.
Guardiola spoke to reporters when questioned on Rodri’s plea to be rested, “If a player doesn’t want to play then he’s not going to play, simple. Take a look at our games and then you realise. He’s so important for the quality that he gives.
“I have the feeling that the games when he was tired like against Crystal Palace and Madrid, he was better in the second half. He runs more and was more precise in the second half than the first.
“More than the physicality, it is a case of spending mental energy. Playing every three days, three days. Of course he’s tired, playing a lot of minutes.
“I’d love to rest central defenders but we don’t have them. [John Stones and Kyle Walker] got injured so they get cannot rest. We are in big, big trouble. I had the feeling we were tired in the last games. We will decide tomorrow what we have to do.”
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