Central defender John Stones suffered a fresh injury in Manchester City's 2-1 Premier League defeat at Aston Villa on Sunday. The England international was substituted at half-time after his first start in a month with a foot problem. That injury has flared up again, City manager Pep Guardiola said.
Guardiola has cited injuries as a factor in the worrying crisis for the four-time defending champions, who have lost nine of their last 12 games in all competitions. But despite the bad series, the club's management has remained strangely silent and the only one who has taken a stand on the issue is Guardiola.
On Friday, it was confirmed that Ruben Diaz will be out for up to four weeks due to a muscle injury.
"At the moment we only have one fit central defender, and in such a situation it is difficult to assemble a fighting squad", said the Spanish specialist.
But against the backdrop of the champions' literally stunning free fall, not only has there been no reaction from the management, but Guardiola continues to defend and support his players.
"First of all, we have to think positively, but I have incredible confidence in the boys anyway. Some of them are really hurt and I see them suffering with their pride. "I think they have a huge desire to make a turnaround that will get us back to the top," Guardiola said after today's defeat in Birmingham.
John Duran scored the first goal of the match, and in the second half Morgan Rodgers added another goal for Villa's success.
The manager gave his players two days off this week to clear their heads, saying that the team's poor performance "is only in our minds now". That did not help much, because the picture at Villa Park was not very optimistic. Guardiola, however, has a different opinion.
"Step by step we will get back to the top. We have personalities in the squad, they will not give up."
Erling Haaland also expressed support for the manager. The Norwegian striker said: "He has won the Premier League six times in seven years, so we will never forget that fact and accept the situation we are in".