MANCHESTER, England (REUTERS) - Manchester City's influential duo Sergio Aguero and Kevin De Bruyne are in contention to face Everton at home in the Premier League on Saturday (Dec 14), as they look to rebound from their first domestic defeat of the season last weekend.
City boss Pep Guardiola told a news conference on Friday (Dec 14) that both players had come through training this week unscathed and might feature against a side City have not beaten at home in the last two seasons.
"He (Aguero) did the last two training sessions. On Thursday, he trained with the team. He has no pain and we will decide," Guardiola said.
"With KDB (De Bruyne), it is the same case as Sergio - he has no pain but we will see."
Ahead of a packed festive schedule with six games in the space of 20 days, City's squad may be stretched with David Silva, Danilo, Benjamin Mendy and Claudio Bravo all sidelined.
Defender John Stones was forced off in City's 2-1 win over Hoffenheim in the Champions League on Wednesday and his fitness will be assessed ahead of the weekend.
Yet Guardiola said the mounting injury list would not force the club into the transfer market in January.
"No, we are not going to sign anyone," he said of his second-placed side, who sit one point behind unbeaten leaders Liverpool.
They will reclaim top spot for at least 24 hours by securing a point against Everton, with Liverpool playing City's rivals Manchester United on Sunday.
Yet Guardiola was wary of the threat posed by seventh-place Everton, having drawn his last two home matches with the side now led by the attack-minded coach Marco Silva.
"We make good games but we didn't win, we dropped four points," the Spaniard said.
"Tomorrow is another game, the Everton team has changed completely with (Gylfi) Sigurdsson and Richarlison, (Lucas) Digne and Yerry Mina - it is a top side.
"I'm really impressed with how they have done so far. It will be a tough, tough game..."
Their task will be made easier should the club's record goalscorer Aguero return to the line-up.
The Argentine has been out since the beginning of the month with a muscle injury.
In that time, City have scored seven goals in four matches in all competitions - a relatively modest tally for a side who notched a record 106 strikes in the league last season.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp denied on Friday that his Premier League leaders will have the upper hand over Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur in the title race despite a lighter schedule after crashing out of both domestic cup competitions.
Klopp denies Liverpool's lighter schedule is title advantage
Get ready to swipe that credit card! Chelsea Houska FINALLY revealed some of her beauty products that she uses. Over the years, the Teen Mom 2 star has become a beauty icon on MTV thanks to all
Callum Hudson-Odoi: Chelsea 'confident' teen sensation will
Stealth: The one area where no version of the Super Hornet can compete with the F-35 is stealth. Stealth more or less has to be baked into an airframe design right from the outset—no ifs or buts.
The Charlotte Hornets are quietly 5th in the East without MKG
West Indies' fury at 'dodgy' decisions as Australia get rub of the green. Bangladesh bowling attack exposed for lack of wicket-takers "Even when we were bowling we thought a few balls
West Indies' fury at 'dodgy' decisions as Australia get rub
Double injury blow for Tottenham Hotspur ahead of Liverpool clash Eric Dier suffered a groin injury in England's 5-0 win over Czech Republic last week and was forced to withdraw from Gareth Southgate's squad for their visit to Montenegro.
Double injury blow for Spurs ahead of Liverpool clash - Reuters
Napoli goalkeeper David Ospina remains under observation in hospital but is improving after his frightening collapse following a knock to the head in an Italian league game at the weekend, his
Napoli 'keeper Ospina out of hospital after head injury scare
Malcom shines in absence of other Barca stars, Football News
Anti-Semitism in Britain No room for complacency. Britain is better for Jews than some parts of Europe, but anti-Semitism is still a worry
No room for complacency | The Manila Times Online
Pep Guardiola believes Manchester City must beat Liverpool on Thursday (Friday morning, AEDT) to sustain their English Premier League title bid. City shook off consecutive defeats to coast past
City must beat Liverpool to stay in title race: Guardiola
England soccer captain Harry Kane received the MBE award on Thursday for services to football after leading the national team to the World Cup semi-final in Russia last Summer, according to Reuters. Prince William, the president of the English Football Association, presented
England soccer captain Harry Kane is made an MBE (Member of
Do I take the leap and work overseas? know a bit more what I should keep my eyes open for. coming in to work and take a job away from one of their citizens
#TakeTheLeap: Study Abroad Open House | Study Abroad Office
Pain is the alarm of disease, the symptom that announces that all is not right with our bodies. Whether due to accident or illness, it is the most common reason that people seek medical assistance. But because pain has many causes, some of which are poorly understood, it is often a vexing problem to treat.
Heal N Soothe Reviews - Consumer Health Digest
Chelsea manager has become one of the first people in the history of humankind to praise Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho's 'human quality.' Sarri has admitted that Mourinho's understanding after he became embroiled in a touchline fracas with Blues assistant Marco Ianni at Stamford Bridge last month has left a lasting impression on him.
Maurizio Sarri convinces wantaway star to - football.london
Italian legend Cannavaro named new coach of China captain Fabio Cannavaro was named coach of China on Friday, spearheading the ambitious country's attempts to become a footballing force at
Fabio Cannavaro named new coach of China - Sportstar
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's instant impact as Manchester United interim manager continued in his first home game in charge as two goals from Paul Pogba helped his team secure a 3-1 win over Huddersfield.
Paul Pogba Strikes Twice as Man Utd Win on Ole Gunnar
0 komentar:
Posting Komentar