Sports
Guardiola expecting difficult test for Manchester City at Craven Cottage
Pep Guardiola has warned that Manchester City must be prepared for a difficult evening at Craven Cottage, with the manager full of admiration for the work Marco Silva has done at Fulham.
City travel to west London on Tuesday night for a 19:30 kick-off, knowing victory would narrow the gap at the top of the Premier League to two points, at least temporarily.
Fulham arrive in good form after their 2-1 win at Tottenham and have lost only once at home this season, a run Guardiola believes reflects the progress made under Silva.
“Marco has been there many years there and always it has been a really tough game,” Guardiola said in his pre-match news conference.
“[It will be] difficult. The organisation is exceptional and every year with the ball they’re even better.
“A tough, tough opponent, I saw their games against Chelsea, Arsenal and Sunderland and always it’s so difficult for the opponent to break them up. Always it has been in this beautiful stadium in London.”
Guardiola confirmed that Rodri will miss the trip and remains unsure whether the midfielder could return in time for Saturday’s meeting with Sunderland.
He also noted discipline concerns for Bernardo Silva and Gianluigi Donnarumma, who are each one caution away from a suspension.
The goalkeeper was shown a yellow card in the 3–2 win over Leeds, prompting Guardiola to shrug at his growing tally.
“Yeah he has a lot. He has many. It is what it is,” he said.
