Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has shed light on his decision to bench star players Erling Haaland and Jeremy Doku for the Premier League clash against Crystal Palace at the Etihad Stadium. The Catalan tactician made six alterations to his starting lineup for the midweek fixture.
Speaking after the match, Guardiola emphasized the need to rotate his squad due to a grueling schedule. He noted that the team would be traveling to London for an FA Cup final against Chelsea, followed by a trip to Bournemouth, who are in excellent form.
Guardiola stated that he trusts every player in his squad, regardless of whether they start or not. He acknowledged that decisions are often judged based on results, but he remains committed to making choices he believes are best for the team.
The Manchester City boss also highlighted the challenges of travel and recovery, pointing out that Chelsea will have had a full week to prepare for the cup final while City have just three days between matches.