Soccer

Guardiola insists Sergio Agüero is firmly in his plans

The Manchester City manager said striker understood being dropped for Barcelona clash

Manchester City’s Argentinian striker Sergio Aguero reacts after missing a penalty during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Everton at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester. Photo: Getty Images
Jamie Jackson
Sat Oct 22 2016 - 01:00

Pep Guardiola insists Sergio Agüero and Vincent Kompany remain in his plans with Manchester City’s manager stating the striker understood being dropped for Barcelona while Kompany informed the doctor he was unfit for the Champions League group game.

City lost 4-0 at Barça on Wednesday night, Guardiola having preferred Kevin De Bruyne to Agüero up front. Kompany was not included in the 18-man squad.

That led to scrutiny of the players’ futures. Yet Guardiola said: “Out of my plans? I think I took a decision about my plans, and my plans are that Sergio and Vincent Kompany are part of the future of Manchester City,” he said.

Tactical decision

“Kompany was not fit. Agüero was a tactical decision, we wanted more in the middle. I try to keep the ball in Camp Nou because I believe when you have the ball, Messi,Suárez and Neymar don’t have it and they are still dangerous, but less dangerous.

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“I spoke to Sergio about that, he was so understanding. He helped us a lot in the last minutes. That was the reason why.”

Kompany also remains a key player but Guardiola is clear the captain has to regain full fitness.

“What he is fit – he’s a real central defender. I like him. But we tried to take care of him. He went to the doctors in Barcelona and say I’m not able to play.

“We have to improve but that is normal. Three months together, you cannot imagine how difficult it is to build something. Barcelona have been playing together for 15 years, they play in a natural way. . .”

Guardiola also defended Claudio Bravo who was sent off for handling the ball outside the area. He said: “I know from the beginning when Claudio is going to make a mistake, he will be on the front page. Every defender midfielder, striker missing penalty makes mistakes but Claudio has to fight against that.

“The last three or four times Manchester City play against Barcelona, mostly with 10 men.

“With 10 you cannot imagine how difficult it is. I saw many good things. John Stones, Raheem Sterling, Ilkay Gundogan, Kevin De Bruyne . . .it is the first time they go to the Camp Nou for these kind of games.” Guardian Service