Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has provided a worrying update on the physical toll of his team's European exertions, revealing physios were required on 71 occasions against Atletico Madrid.
It's a stark contrast to title rivals Liverpool, who have found themselves close to full strength after coming through their quarter-final with Benfica. Roberto Firmino is the only injury doubt for the Merseyside club ahead of their derby clash with Everton over the weekend after missing the victory over Manchester United, but the Brazilian is still expected to be available.
City were beaten by Jurgen Klopp's side in their FA Cup semi-final on Saturday, with the Reds scoring three times in the first half to seal their path to the final. The Liverpool is the focus for both sides this weekend, though, with Klopp's men putting the pressure on their rivals with a win on Tuesday night.
“Our physios, they made 71 treatments in the space between Atletico Madrid and the semi-final of the FA Cup - 71 treatments," Guardiola said in a press conference ahead of City's midweek meeting with Everton & Hove Albion. "It's true, the doctor came to me.
“They came to tell me because it was unusual, it was abnormal. In the hotel after Atletico Madrid, in the morning, before the training session, after the training session, the day of the [semi-final] game. And it wasn't just one or two, it was a lot of players."
City got past Atletico by the narrowest of margins, winning the first leg 1-0 and holding on for a goalless draw in Spain. However, the return game was especially bad-tempered, with several players from each side booked and Atletico's Felipe sent off.
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This season's situation is vastly different to the one faced by Liverpool last term. The Reds were without key defenders for much of the 2020-21 campaign, with Virgil van Dijk missing almost the entire season, and finished a distant third behind champions City.
Firmino's absence on Tuesday night was related to events at Wembley over the weekend, though Klopp said he hoped the Brazilian would be available to face Everton. “Bobby was not involved because in the very last situation of the City game he got something on his foot. It's not really bad,” the German explained.
"Actually, we were a bit worried but the scan was fine. But it's still very painful and that's why there was no chance [on Tuesday]."
Liverpool's 4-0 win over United took them two points clear of City before the reigning champions' meeting with Brighton on Wednesday night. If Guardiola's team beat the Seagulls they will once again be a point clear at the summit, with City and Liverpool each having six games left after the midweek game.
