Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Guardiola blasts 'stupid' Walker for UCL suspension

Written by 
Published in Soccer
Tuesday, 08 March 2022 07:04

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has blasted "stupid" Kyle Walker for picking up a Champions League suspension that has left him without a right-back for the round-of-16 second-leg tie with Sporting Lisbon on Wednesday.

Guardiola said he did not agree with City's decision to appeal the three-game ban that will also rule Walker out of the quarterfinal first leg.

- Stream ESPN FC Daily on ESPN+ (U.S. only)
- Don't have ESPN? Get instant access

Walker was shown a red card for kicking Andre Silva during the 2-1 defeat to RB Leipzig in the final group game in December.

Guardiola said he has still not forgiven the England defender, particularly after the other right-back in the squad, Joao Cancelo, was ruled out of the game against Sporting because of illness.

"He deserved it [the suspension], he deserved the three, he did a stupid thing," Guardiola told a news conference on Tuesday.

"I'm not kind to Kyle for this kind of action. I'm still so angry with him. He knows it, it's not necessary. He deserved it. The club appealed but I did not agree. Hopefully he learned."

With City leading 5-0 from the first leg in Portugal, Guardiola has the luxury of being able to rest midfielder Kevin De Bruyne for the second leg at the Etihad Stadium, with the Belgian midfielder one yellow card away from suspension.

However, the Spanish coach said he is yet to solve the problem at right-back caused by Walker's suspension.

"I don't know [who will play]," Guardiola said.

"[John] Stones? Fernandinho maybe? We'll speak with some players, we are going to speak about the academy.

"We don't have many players, just 14 available. Of course we had an incredible result in the first leg but football is unpredictable, red cards, quality of opponent.

"We'll take a top side as much as possible. Not many alternatives but we will do the best team possible to win the game."

City are still in the hunt for the Premier League title, Champions League and FA Cup; a treble that would emulate Manchester United's achievement in 1999.

Guardiola has played down the chances of lifting all three trophies, but goalkeeper Ederson said he believes the squad can do it.

"Definitely," Ederson said.

"We know how difficult it is. That is very demanding on the entire group. We know how difficult it is but we have the quality to do this.

"We've shown this previously and we're showing it at the moment. I think we're fully capable of meeting this achievement."

Read 188 times

Soccer

De Zerbi to leave Brighton at the end of the season

De Zerbi to leave Brighton at the end of the season

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsBrighton head coach Roberto De Zerbi will leave the club after thei...

Mbappé not in PSG squad for last Ligue 1 match

Mbappé not in PSG squad for last Ligue 1 match

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsKylian Mbappé has been left out of the Paris Saint-Germain squad th...

Messi returns as Miami strikes late to beat D.C.

Messi returns as Miami strikes late to beat D.C.

Lionel Messi returned to the starting lineup as Inter Miami struck late to beat D.C. United 1-0 than...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Murray 'feels great', 'hungry' for big Game 7

Murray 'feels great', 'hungry' for big Game 7

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsDENVER -- Nuggets star guard Jamal Murray is "feeling great" and we...

Sources: Anunoby, Hart pushing to make Game 7

Sources: Anunoby, Hart pushing to make Game 7

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNew York Knicks forward OG Anunoby, out since Game 2 of the Eastern...

Baseball

Mets' Diaz open to change in role amid struggles

Mets' Diaz open to change in role amid struggles

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsMIAMI -- Edwin Diaz is open to a change to help ignite the slumping...

Gil sets Yanks' rookie record; Soto mashes 2 HRs

Gil sets Yanks' rookie record; Soto mashes 2 HRs

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNEW YORK -- The Yankees waxed the White Sox 6-1 on Saturday to earn...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated