Manchester City boss Guardiola has admitted his side is in "big trouble" ahead of this weekend's Premier League action.
The Citizens are on the back of an exhausting trip home from Spain following their action-packed 3-3 draw with Real Madrid in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final.
Read: Official: Foster's boss hit with fine & ban in England
Unfortunately for Guardiola, he now has a bit of a headache in terms of selection and the availability of players, with some key stars missing.
Both Kyle Walker and Nathan Ake missed the game in Madrid on Tuesday due to injury, while goalkeeper Ederson was named in the squad but did not feature as he completes a full recovery.
Phil Foden also had to be withdrawn after sustaining a knock, and was seen limping after the game too.
Perhaps the biggest concern for the Spanish boss now is Rodri's recent admission that he needs rest, however.
The Spain midfielder is arguably the club's most important player, and he told reporters earlier this week, per Manchester Evening News: "I do need a rest. Let's see how we speak, how we live the situation. Sometimes it is what it is. I need to adjust.
"[Rest] is something we are planning, yeah. Every one of us can do better, even myself. But we need to rest, to be honest."
Guardiola has since responded to Rodri's comments, stating that his side is in "big, big trouble" despite still being in contention to clinch a second successive continental treble.
According to GB News, the tactician said on Friday afternoon ahead of City's match against Luton Town on Saturday: "Take a look at our games and you realise. It is simple. [Rodri] is so important for the quality he gives us. But if you have a player that doesn't want to play, he won't play.
"I need to rest the centre-halves too, but in [England's] friendly games, [John Stones and Walker] got injured so they cannot get rest.
"We are in big, big trouble.
"I had the feeling we were tired in the last games. We will decide tomorrow what we have to do. We have to [focus], the Premier league so important.
"It's 11 months we've been fighting for the title, we know what position we are in."
Read: African boss reacts to nomination vs Mokwena & Ramoreboli
You must be SIGNED IN to read and post comments.
WATCH:
