Pep Guardiola insists that he would have no problem with UEFA moving Manchester City’s last-16 second-leg crunch Champions League clash against Real Madrid away from the Etihad Stadium.
The city has produced one of the most memorable performances by a Premier League side overseas in recent years when they came down from a goal to secure a priceless 2-1 win at the Bernabeu in late February.
Because of coronavirus spread, the return leg scheduled for March 17 in Manchester was postponed and although UEFA confirmed the fixture will now take place on August 7 or 8, the venue remains unknown.
Whether it takes place in the northwest or Lisbon-which will host an eight-team knockout tournament to determine the champions league winners for this season-Guardiola takes a realistic view of the matter.
The Covid-19 pandemic resulted in three months of putting the Premier League on hold while City resumed its campaign on Wednesday with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Arsenal behind closed doors at the Etihad Stadium.
They welcome Burnley on Monday night when, after having sustained a concussion in a horrible accidental collision with Teammate Ederson, Eric Garcia will miss in the closing stages against the Gunners.
Fellow defender John Stones (ankle) and goalkeeper Claudio Bravo (hamstring) are on their way to recovery but are in doubt on their visit to the Clarets.
Guardiola still has an enviable amount of his resources at his fingertips and although avoiding drastic changes in his starting line-up, he needs as many of his squad members up to speed as soon as possible.
The city has 10 fixtures over the next six weeks – including a quarter-final of the FA Cup vs.
He added: ‘It wasn’t a problem against Arsenal, the players came into the game fresh, no problems. There’s a lack of physical condition but they need to play for minutes.
While Leroy Sane is searching for a move elsewhere after refusing a new deal, due to the cruciate ligament injury not featured for City since last August, the German winger is available for playing again.
He was an unused midweek substitute and Guardiola admitted to having been spoiled for choice in terms of his midweek options.
