Guardiola angry because Man City have to take the bus

Manager Pep Guardiola is worried about his fitness as Man City cannot travel by plane or high-speed train after their away match against Newcastle in the third round of the League Cup.

Man City usually travel by train when playing away in domestic competitions. But after playing at St James' Park today, Guardiola and his team could not find a train and could not travel by plane. So Man City had to travel 142 miles (more than 228 km) by car from Tyneside to Manchester.

"Going by bus is no problem but we arrive much later," Guardiola said at his pre-match press conference. "We can't go back to Manchester by plane and have to take the bus. We will be two or three hours late, much later than expected."

Guardiola instructs Man City players on the training ground on September 26. Photo: mancity.com — Guardiola instructs Man City players on the training ground on September 26. Photo: *mancity.com*

In addition to fitness concerns, Man City also have personnel issues when playing Newcastle today. Bernardo Silva, John Stones and Kevin De Bruyne continue to be out injured, Ruben Dias and Kyle Walker are rested, and Rodri is suspended after receiving a straight red card in the 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest in the sixth round of the Premier League last weekend.

"At the beginning of the season, there are always five or six players who are not playing regularly and the League Cup is perfect," Guardiola added. "But that's when the team is fit. Now, Man City are in a special situation, with a lot of injuries and overloaded players. They need to rest."

Guardiola welcomed back Jack Grealish and Mateo Kovacic but refused to give his academy youngsters a chance. The Spaniard said he had spoken to sporting director Txiki Begiristain and Man City Under-21 coach Brian Barry-Murphy, and they all agreed that the current squad were too young to play at Newcastle. "I don't want to take any risks, but some tired players still had to play today," he said.

Meanwhile, Newcastle manager Eddie Howe does not believe his colleague will use a reserve team and take the League Cup lightly. "I don't believe that for a second because Guardiola is a manager who has won a lot of games and trophies. And he can't do that if he doesn't give his all at every moment to try and achieve success," he said.

After thrashing hosts Sheffield United 8-0 in the Premier League round 6, Howe will give a number of substitutes a chance today. Alexander Isak, Sandro Tonali, Jacob Murphy, Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall could still start against Man City.

Newcastle will face Burnley in the Premier League this weekend and PSG in the Champions League next midweek.

Hong Duy

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