‘We need him next game’ – Pep Guardiola explains Man City substitution at half-time

Pep Guardiola said that Jack Grealish was substituted at half-time in the Champions League against Sevilla because the team needs him for the weekend.

A much-changed Manchester City side beat Sevilla 3-1 in their final Champions League group game, but eyebrows were raised when Grealish, who has made 14 appearances in all competitions this season, came off for Rodri at the break.

Pep has clarified why he made the change at the break, however, insisting it was to protect Grealish ahead of Saturday’s Premier League clash with Fulham.

As per the Manchester Evening News, he said to reporters: “Jack was the best player in the first half, more direct. But he played a really tough game in the last game. We need him for the next game…”

“The first half we were there but we struggled to attack especially because we played right foot on the left and left foot on the right and you go inside and with five in the back it’s more difficult and second half with Sergio [Gomez] left and Rico [Lewis] right and more people like Phil [Foden] and Cole [Palmer] closer to Julian we felt from the minute one of the second half we had more presence in the final third because against 5-4-1 it is difficult.

“In the second half we were much better, Rodri’s impact was good and we made a really good game in general.”

Saturday’s clash with Fulham is more important than Wednesday’s win over Sevilla, as City had already reached the knockouts and topped their group. Guardiola’s men could go top of the Premier League with a win over the weekend, so it makes more sense to rest key players with that fixture in mind.