Pep Guardiola found himself in a quandary ahead of Manchester City's clash with Crystal Palace this Saturday, uncertain whether to reintroduce Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne into the starting eleven as they gear up for a showdown with Real Madrid.
In their previous outing against Aston Villa, the duo remained on the bench, witnessing Phil Foden's magnificent hat-trick as City cruised to a 4-1 victory.
With the Premier League standings placing City in third place, trailing Liverpool by three points and Arsenal by one, Guardiola faces a strategic dilemma.
Considering the looming challenge against Real Madrid in the Champions League quarterfinals next Tuesday, Guardiola is contemplating keeping Haaland and De Bruyne sidelined once again.
Addressing the press on Friday, Guardiola expressed his uncertainty, emphasising the tight scheduling and the need to prioritise player recovery amidst a congested fixture list.
"We're playing at 12:30 pm, just two days after our last game," Guardiola remarked. "Some players recover quicker than others. A short week like this demands consultations with medical staff and physiotherapists."
City's fixture list offers little respite, with a crucial FA Cup tie against Chelsea looming after the European clash. Guardiola acknowledged the challenge, admitting the fixture congestion isn't fair but insisting that City will rise to the occasion.
Despite their injury concerns, City's unbeaten streak in the Premier League since early December instills confidence. Guardiola stressed the importance of maintaining focus and consistency, acknowledging that their fate is not entirely in their hands but expressing optimism about their prospects.
Meanwhile, Guardiola paid tribute to Palace's resilience and tactical astuteness under manager Oliver Glasner. Reflecting on past encounters, Guardiola highlighted Palace's ability to pose a threat, especially with players like Eberechi Eze, Jordan Ayew, and Jean-Philippe Mateta in their ranks.
As City brace for a challenging encounter at Selhurst Park, Guardiola remains wary of the threat posed by Palace, emphasising the physicality and defensive solidity of their opponents.
Despite the odds, Guardiola is prepared for the battle, acknowledging that overcoming Palace's resilience will be crucial in their pursuit of silverware.
