The City manager admitted he has relied on certain players more frequently than intended across all competitions, singling out Ruben Dias as a prime example.
Dias has been used extensively this season, partly to compensate for Rodri’s absence, with Guardiola explaining that his leadership – even in midfield areas – made him difficult to rest, even when rotation was theoretically possible. Only Erling Haaland has featured more often than the Portuguese defender.
That reliance has now come at a cost. Dias is expected to be sidelined for four to six weeks with a hamstring injury sustained in the 1–1 draw with Chelsea, a match in which Josko Gvardiol also suffered a significant setback.
The pair had started eight of City’s last 10 matches together and had firmly established themselves as Guardiola’s first-choice centre-back partnership. John Stones remains unavailable, further depleting defensive options.
As a result, Nathan Ake and Abdukodir Khusanov – largely confined to the bench this season – will be required to start more regularly, while 20-year-old Max Alleyne has been recalled from a loan spell at Watford for cover. Guardiola revealed City will have just 13 senior outfield players available for Wednesday’s clash with Brighton.
“I would have loved to put Khusa in more games and not Ruben, but if Rodri is not there I want characters on the pitch and Ruben is an incredible leader,” he said.
“Having Nico there and the moment we have new players, Ruben gave us stability. I’m not a guy who rotates 10 players like against Leverkusen, but always with two or three or four players you can do it.
“But sometimes when you have some specific players you can rotate more and when you don’t have them you rotate less. But it is what it is. It happens many times during the season and I’m pretty sure for the future the lesson will be made.”
