MX23RW : Tuesday, April 15 08:51:53| >> :120:6240:6240:
[monks data]
Chelsea logo
Premier League | Gameweek 31
Jun 25, 2020 at 8.15pm UK
Stamford Bridge
Manchester City logo

Chelsea
2 - 1
Man City

Pulisic (36'), Willian (78' pen.)
Alonso (38')
FT(HT: 1-0)
De Bruyne (55')
De Bruyne (76')

Pep Guardiola challenges Manchester City to overcome Sergio Aguero absence

Pep Guardiola challenges Manchester City to overcome Sergio Aguero absence
© Reuters
Sergio Aguero faces a spell on the sidelines after undergoing knee surgery.

Pep Guardiola has challenged Manchester City to overcome the potential absence of Sergio Aguero for the remainder of the season.

Aguero, City’s record goalscorer, faces a spell on the sidelines after undergoing knee surgery.

The 32-year-old limped out of Monday’s Premier League victory over Burnley after aggravating an old injury.

Aguero was injured in Monday's clash with Burnley
Aguero was injured in Monday’s clash with Burnley (Martin Rickett/PA)

The club are yet to reveal the timescale for Aguero’s return but there are fears he could miss the rest of the domestic campaign and the resumption of the Champions League in August.

City manager Guardiola said: “Of course the impact is big. To win the Champions League you have to arrive in the best moment in the best condition as possible.

“But at the same time the situation is what it is, and sometimes when this happens teams make a step forward with the rest of the players to solve this situation. So that is what we have to do.

“We have to wait and hopefully he can help us against Madrid and, if we’re good enough to go through, maybe for the next rounds. We will see, but at the same time we have to move forward with the players that we have.”

City lead Real Madrid 2-1 after the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie.

Asked if Aguero could feature in the return match, Guardiola said in an online press conference: “I don’t know right now.”

Brazil striker Gabriel Jesus is the natural replacement for the prolific Aguero but Guardiola also has other options, which he surprisingly said include midfielder Ilkay Gundogan.

Guardiola believes Ilkay Gundogan (right) could play in an attacking role
Guardiola believes Ilkay Gundogan (right) could play in an attacking role (Adam Davy/PA)

Speaking ahead of Thursday’s trip to Chelsea, Guardiola said: “The players who understand the game – and they are so much smarter – they understand how to play football, they can play all the positions.

“Ilkay can play in many, many positions – not as a striker like a main target, but a striker who can drop and play and get to the box.

“He is an outstanding player because he is so intelligent and intelligent players can play as wingers, full-backs in the same time.

“We have Gabriel. We don’t have any doubts about him but we play a lot of games with a short time for recovery and preparation. That’s why we have to think about different options.

“(Raheem) Sterling can play there without a doubt. Bernardo (Silva) is another player like Gundogan who can play in a lot of positions because he is so smart.”

ID:403767: cacheID:403767:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:7549:
Written by
P A
No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool32237274314376
2Arsenal321712357273063
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest32176951381357
4Newcastle UnitedNewcastle31175956401656
5Manchester CityMan City32167962422055
6Chelsea32159856391754
7Aston Villa3215984946354
8Bournemouth321391052401248
9Fulham32139104743448
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton32121285149248
11Brentford32127135248443
12Crystal Palace311110104140143
13Everton32814103438-438
14Manchester UnitedMan Utd32108143845-738
15Tottenham HotspurSpurs321141760491137
16Wolverhampton WanderersWolves32105174761-1435
17West Ham UnitedWest Ham3298153654-1835
18Ipswich TownIpswich3249193367-3421
19Leicester CityLeicester3246222772-4518
20Southampton3224262377-5410


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!