FEAR WE
City boss Pep doesn’t want to think about what might happen to stars on international break
PEP GUARDIOLA has revealed he will be praying that all his players come back in one piece after the international break.
But the Manchester City boss admits he doesn’t really want to think what might happen to his stars – with Covid or injury – when they head off to join their national squads after today’s titanic clash with champions Liverpool.
Guardiola has voiced concern that the game’s top players are being flogged mercilessly with a punishing schedule as football struggles to cope with the impact of coronavirus.
That was even before his stars head off to a THIRD international break of the season following the Etihad showdown.
The Spaniard said: “Honestly, I don’t want to think about it.
“Everyone is focused on the Liverpool game and after that we have days off, but I don’t want to focus on it.
“We will pray, like all the managers when 13 or 14 players go with the national team.
“We expect they will come back fit and safe but, at the same time, I don’t want to dwell on it. What is going to happen will happen.”
Before that, City must try to halt a
L iver p o o l team intent on retaining their title.
Guardiola’s side smashed Liverpool
4-0 at the end of last season just days after Jurgen
Klopp’s stars were c onf i rmed as champions.
Despite that romp,
Guardiola believes, after Barcelona, the
Reds are the toughest side he’s ever faced. “I will never underestimate all the other opponents in the other leagues,” he said. “When I was in Munich it was Dortmund, with Thomas Tuchel or Jurgen in the first seasons with incredible teams.
“When I was in Barcelona the rivalry with Real Madrid was so, so tough with Jose Mourinho and Manuel Pellegrini as well.
“Madrid was always an incredible opponent.
“Here, since I arrived and fought for the titles, Liverpool was the big rival with the quality they have.
“I have incredible respect for Liverpool the last few years. And Barcelona under Luis Enrique.
“When I played with Bayern Munich in the semi-finals of the Champions League, Barcelona were the toughest opponents I ever faced. “Maybe in a few years City or Liverpool will have a new rival so this will not be eternal. “But in the last three years the toughest opponents we have in the Premier
League is Liverpool.”