Pep Guardiola's Anger: 'You Cannot Come Back Injured' from International Friendlies Disrupts to Manchester City’s Season

Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola has publicly voiced his annoyance at players returning from international duty with injuries, particularly after friendlies. The City Coach is becoming worried about this growing issue, particularly after some of his star players sustained injuries in friendly matches, which hindered City’s success during important phases of the season.

After playing for England against Finland in the UEFA Nations League last season, City defender Kyle Walker returned to the team despite sustaining a major knee injury. Guardiola has been complaining about international matches, especially when they coincide with Manchester City’s pursuit of numerous tournaments. This injury just served to add to his list of complaints. In a previous friendly match against Brazil, Walker had suffered a hamstring injury that kept him out of action during important matches, such as City’s match with Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals.

The concern was increased when Nathan Ake, who had played for the Netherlands during the September international break, returned to the Etihad with a hamstring injury. Guardiola’s annoyance has increased further as players continue to sustain injuries in friendly matches.

Guardiola was honest when he was questioned about the effects of these injuries before Manchester City’s Champions League match with Sparta Prague.

“I was never as angry as I was in that moment. Never, ever before was I so disappointed,” Guardiola admitted. “It was a friendly game, and we were playing the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League against Madrid and in the Premier League, and for two players to come back injured after a friendly… I didn’t like it at all.”

The City manager made it clear that he wholeheartedly supports his players’ international obligations, particularly when they are playing competitive games, but he refused to back them in friendly matches. Guardiola emphasized the importance of players avoiding injuries during such games, especially when their team is approaching the finals of a major competition.

“Always I encourage them to go to national teams; it’s a pleasure. But if it’s a friendly game, you cannot come back injured! I’m sorry. You cannot come back injured when we are playing quarterfinals of the Champions League,” he continued.

Guardiola emphasized the preparation and work required to get to these important matches. “There is a lot of work here. The club pays us. Not the national teams. So you have to respect the club. In friendly games, you cannot be injured. You can play, absolutely. But you cannot come back injured. If you are here, you cannot come back injured.”

Guardiola is troubled by the timing of the injuries as well as how they affect Manchester City’s season. Walker’s absence due to injury from City last season left them without a key defender during a critical time that included both Premier League and Champions League matches.

After an exciting victory over Wolves in which John Stones scored the game-winning goal in the last minutes, Manchester City is now getting ready for their third Champions League match of the year. Guardiola is still quite concerned about the danger that foreign games, especially non-competitive friendlies, offer, though, given City’s expanding injury list.