Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has confirmed that Norwegian striker Erling Haaland is fit to play, while Belgian defender Jérémy Doku is unavailable, ahead of their Premier League clash against Newcastle United.
Guardiola explained in a press conference today that Brazilian Safinho is fit to play, while Doku will not be available for the match.
Commenting on the competition for the league title, the Spanish coach said that about 70% of the team’s players had recently joined, adding: “Experience plays an important role in such situations. There is still a lot to happen until the end of the season”.
Guardiola addressed the racist abuse suffered by Real Madrid’s Brazilian player Vinicius Junior, emphasizing that racism is a broader societal problem than just football. He said, “It’s not where you were born or the color of your skin that makes you better or worse. There’s a lot of work to be done; racism exists in society, not just in football”.
Guardiola added that he is not currently focused on the title race, stating that the team’s entire focus is on the Newcastle match, with 12 games remaining in the season.
The Spanish coach also praised Wayne Rooney’s comments, in which he commended his career, saying: “It is a great honor to receive such praise from a player like Wayne Rooney, who has had an exceptional career”.
Guardiola concluded his remarks by praising his striker, Antoine Simeone, emphasizing that the player is performing at a high level, possesses tactical flexibility, and can play in several positions. He added that Simeone’s impact has been positive since joining the team.
