Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola says he has “no doubts” that Phil Foden will start to show his best form again.
Foden has endured an injury-hit start to the campaign after picking up an injury after Euro 2024, with the England midfielder’s only start this term coming in the Carabao Cup against Watford.
The 24-year-old played 24 minutes of Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Newcastle and Guardiola believes the playmaker is showing signs of returning to last season’s form.
“I can have some doubts in many things but Phil will be back. Three minutes in at St James’ Park I saw something I liked – something I didn’t see against Watford”, Guardiola said ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League game at Slovan Bratislava.
“We cannot forget after the Euros had been two months without training with a few niggles and some problems. Now he is smiling a bit and a bit in his rhythm.
“We cannot forget we have done without him but he is an important player for us and I don’t have any doubts the way he love to play football he will be back and he will help us like he has since he landed in Man City.
“He has been not training, had niggles but now he’s smiling a little bit and in his rhythm. He will be back.”
JOHN 💬 At the end of the day, it’s a game of football against a quality team. You can get sucked into what goes on around the game. We are focused on doing the job at hand. We know how difficult it’s going to be. We have come here to win and that won’t be easy. It’s another… pic.twitter.com/d417vqV8vo
— Manchester City (@ManCity) September 30, 2024
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De Bruyne injury news
Guardiola has also been without influential midfielder Kevin de Bruyne after the Belgian was forced off in their first Champions League game of the season against Inter Milan.
The Catalan boss says the 33-year-old will miss the midweek clash in Slovakia as well as their home clash with Fulham on Saturday but he will return after the international break.
“Hopefully after the international break he [Kevin] will be back,” Guardiola said.
“Everybody is ready – we will put out the best team possible to compete and beat them.”
Slovan Bratislava preview
City are searching for their first Champions League win of the season after being held to a 0-0 draw by Inter at the Etihad.
A trip to Bratislava, who were beaten 5-1 by Celtic in their opener, presents a good opportunity for the 2023 winners to taste victory.
Speaking about Tuesday’s opponents, Guardiola said: “It’s a team that plays with some courage. I saw the game against Glasgow [Celtic] and in certain moments they are not scared to play. They link really well with the strikers.
“I have huge respect for all the teams especially when we play away. I will try to analyse what they do, the patterns they do, and play our game.
PEP 💬 [Slovan Bratislava] is a team that I would say plays with courage. I saw the game against Glasgow Celtic and they were not scared to play. Not scared to link with their striker and they want to try it… I always have incredible respect for all the teams, especially when… pic.twitter.com/UPKZ4h1eQz
— Manchester City (@ManCity) September 30, 2024
“In England, we don’t have the rights to see the Slovakian League. I have huge, huge respect for them and we’re going to try and analyse what they do, the patterns they do, and try to impose our game.”
But overall, Guardiola knows City will go in as favourites, adding: “We accept it. It is not a big deal. We start 0-0 the same, 11 against 11 and in the same conditions.
“We have to prove we are better. The rest I am not concerned much with to be honest.”
