Man City coach, Pep Guardiola, said a number of his players asked not to be played in the 2022-2023 Premier League match against Leeds United. Pep Guardiola rotated in the Man City vs Leeds United match at the Etihad Stadium, Sunday (6/5/2023).
In Week 35 of the Premier League 2022-2023, which ended with a score of 2-1 for Man City’s victory, Guardiola made seven changes to the starting line-up. Some of the names that Guardiola rested are John Stones, Kyle Walker, Ruben Dias, Rodri, Bernardo Silva and Jack Grealish.
Man City is indeed going through a tight schedule. Guardiola’s men have played nine times in 29 days. After serving Leeds United, another tough challenge awaits, namely the first leg of the 2022-2023 Champions League semifinal at home to Real Madrid, the Santiago Bernabeu.
The duel Madrid vs Man City will be held on Wednesday (10/5/2023). Guardiola is well aware of the importance of the first leg of the 2022-2023 Champions League semifinal against Madrid. However, the Spanish coach born in Santpedor’s motive for making a massive rotation in the match against Leeds was not because of the agenda of a tough visit to Madrid.
“I didn’t rotate because I was thinking about the match in Madrid. I rotated because some players asked, they were very tired,” said Guardiola of his decision to make a line-up change. “People say that these players are very tired. I take the Premier League seriously, very, very seriously. In October, November, December, you can lose points. Now, if you lose points, the impact is big. I am naive if I prioritize one (competition),” said Guardiola who believes that the rotation against Leeds is not a form of belittling the Premier League.
Man City is currently in top form. Guardiola’s Citizens head to Real Madrid’s cage with an unbeaten score in 20 matches in all competitions. Guardiola’s troops are also at the forefront of the 2022-2023 Premier League title race. Man City tops the Premier League standings with 82 points. The Citizens, who still have one game saved, are one point adrift of Arsenal in second place.
