Manchester City, which are chasing a hat-trick, could be close to getting fit when they take on rivals Manchester United in the FA Cup final on Saturday.
The champions struggled physically as they prepared for the showdown at Wembley.
Jack Grealish, Kevin De Bruyne, Ruben Dias and Manuel Akanji all missed the final game of the Premier League season last weekend at Brentford for various reasons.
Training for the quartet was also reduced as City opted to play it safe ahead of a pivotal period in the club's history with next week's Champions League final.
Coach Pep Guardiola said the entire squad now looks healthy. I said:
“They have trained well in the last two training sessions. They are all fine, more or less.
However, one member of the typical Man City squad that will not kick is goalkeeper Ederson.
April 26, 2023 Manchester - Premier League - Manchester City v Arsenal - Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson mocks Arsenal fans - Photo:
Simon Stapoole / Offside.
Ederson will not be in the FA Cup final on Saturday (Image:
Getty)
Substitute Stefan Ortega has appeared in every domestic cup game this season and has also appeared in two of the last three in the Premier League, where he will start at Wembley.
“Stefan is going to play,” Guardiola said of the German, who has yet to concede a goal in the FA Cup this season. "I've always been like that in the FA Cup. The goalkeeper who played in the FA Cup will play in the FA Cup (final).'
Guardiola is bracing for a tough game against United, who are sure to have some momentum at Wembley.
Aside from the regular domestic cup finals and derbies as a driving force, United are also trying to prevent City from mimicking their unique feat to date of winning the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League. League in the same season.
City beat United 6-3 at the start of manager Erik ten Hag's reign in October, but Guardiola feels they are now a much better team.
I said:
"A very special final in its own right, but what United have done in the last four, five, six months - they've been a completely different team since the start of the season when we played them. here." "I feel like the team has improved since the start of the season - the models are clearer and the quality they have."
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