London: Pep Guardiola wants referees to do more to protect players from injury, even if it means his own team suffer disciplinary action as a result.
Manchester City’s manager was angered by dangerous challenges on Kevin De Bruyne and Raheem Sterling during Saturday’s 4-1 win over Tottenham.
De Bruyne, in particular, was fortunate to escape serious injury during the Premier League match when Dele Alli caught him with a studs-up tackle, while Harry Kane also attracted criticism for a lunge on Sterling, with both offending players receiving only yellow cards.
However, Guardiola acknowledged that City defender Nicolas Otamendi was also fortunate to get away with only a booking after catching Kane in the face with a high boot, particularly given that Liverpool striker Sadio Mane was sent off for a similar challenge on goalkeeper Ederson at the Etihad Stadium in September.
“The main thing for the referees is to protect the players and follow the rules,” Guardiola said. “That is the most important thing. Always we are aggressive and sometimes we get injured. All the teams want to win and want to fight in the best way. Sometimes it happens. I have no doubts that Alli and Kane are top-team players. I am not suspicious about them, thinking they are dangerous players.
“But you have to protect them, the same as with Otamendi and Kane. It’s the same as what happened with Mane and Ederson. Mane doesn’t hate the goalkeeper; he didn’t want to do that. I’m pretty sure of that. The referees have to protect players.” Sterling and De Bruyne escaped unscathed and should be involved against Bournemouth today, as the leaders seek a 17th successive Premier League victory. However, teenage midfielder Phil Foden will be out for at least a month after suffering ankle-ligament damage during City’s Carabao Cup quarter-final win at Leicester on Tuesday.
Club captain Vincent Kompany could play after a muscle problem but Guardiola was unsure if David Silva would be available.
