Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has send a personal apology to Algerians following his decision to keep Riyad Mahrez on the bench against Newcastle United.
Mahrez once again witnessed his team’s victory against Newcastle (2-0) from the bench . This tactical choice of Pep agitates the Algerian fan community . Despite the resplendent form displayed by Mahrez since the end of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar , the coach allows himself to do without him at times. Strange, according to supporters.
The decision is not a scandal in itself as Foden repaid the manager’s decision almost immediately, scoring a sensational solo goal to give Manchester City the lead in a contest that would ultimately end in a 2-0 victory after Bernardo Silva’s second-half strike.
But, upon being quizzed on the decision not to introduce Mahrez into the weekend’s victory over Eddie Howe’s side, the Manchester City coach was half-heartedly sorry for not being able to line him up every time.
“I am so sorry for the Algerian people. It’s not my intention to make you feel sad,” Pep Guardiola said.
“But we have other players, for example Julian (Alvarez) from Argentina – who always will be sad with me because he didn’t play. There is Sergio Gomez who is from Spain that is upset with me, also Kalvin Phillips didn’t play today and all the British people are upset with me because he didn’t play.
“I have to take decisions. I have a huge opinion about Riyad; an exceptional player. But in that moment, Phil (Foden) has one rhythm higher, and Jack (Grealish) gives us a lot in terms of longer possessions too like Bernardo (Silva) and his commitment to receive and be aggressive against a back-four.
City will now have an entire week off before returning to Premier League action, as they begin preparations for an away trip to Selhurst Park to take on Patrick Vieira’s Crystal Palace squad next Saturday.
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