In a surprising revelation, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola claimed that his team trained for just 25 minutes before their crucial clash with Liverpool, a match that ended in a hard-fought 1-1 draw. Guardiola’s bizarre statement came as he highlighted the challenges faced by his squad, emphasizing the limited preparation time during the pre-season, especially after their previous year’s treble-winning campaign.
Following the draw against Liverpool, Guardiola shared his insights with reporters, stating, “In seven years I don’t train. Maximum 35 minutes. We don’t train.” He went on to explain the challenges of managing a team with such a tight schedule, balancing the need for tactical preparation and ensuring player fitness.
Guardiola also provided an update on John Stones, who, despite being on the bench, did not feature in the match. The manager emphasized the importance of allowing Stones proper strength training sessions to ensure his readiness for upcoming fixtures.
With star winger Jack Grealish sidelined due to a vomiting bug, and several other players affected, including Erling Haaland’s return from an ankle injury, Manchester City faced a tough Liverpool side. Haaland opened the scoring, but Trent Alexander-Arnold’s brilliant equalizer denied the reigning champions a victory.
Looking ahead, Manchester City will face RB Leipzig in the Champions League on Tuesday before a Sunday encounter with Tottenham Hotspur. Guardiola’s revelation adds a unique perspective to the challenges top football clubs face in managing their players’ fitness and performance amidst a packed schedule.
