Al Jazeera takes a better have a look at Premier League champions Manchester Metropolis’s conflict with bogey group, Crystal Palace.
Who: Manchester Metropolis vs Crystal Palace
What: English Premier League
The place: Etihad Stadium, Manchester, United Kingdom
When: Saturday at 12:30pm (11:40 GMT)
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Manchester Metropolis boss Pep Guardiola mentioned Jack Grealish and Phil Foden “don’t really feel good” after they suffered abuse in separate incidents throughout final weekend’s 0-0 draw at native rivals Manchester United.
A person has been charged with assault after Grealish was allegedly slapped by a supporter as he left the sphere.
Guardiola was outspoken in his criticism of followers after the sport for an offensive chant about Foden’s mom throughout the match.
“In the event you have a look round, you’ll realise we’re not on the proper path,” mentioned Guardiola on Friday as Metropolis ready for his or her Premier League conflict with Crystal Palace.
“They (Foden and Grealish) don’t really feel good, however we transfer ahead.
“It’s occurring in all places. It’s a loopy world, proper? Every little thing occurs all world wide, not simply in sport. No person is away from that.
“I do know it’s occurred generally in our membership, but it surely’s not an issue about United, a particular membership, or particular division in world soccer. It occurs in all places.”
How is Man Metropolis’s season progressing?
At this stage of the season, Metropolis are used to battling for the Premier League title, however this time, they discover themselves down in sixth and scrapping simply to qualify for subsequent season’s Champions League.
There was some excellent news for Guardiola this week with affirmation {that a} top-five end can be sufficient to achieve the Champions League because of the sturdy efficiency of English sides within the European competitors.
Simply six factors separate Nottingham Forest in third from Aston Villa in seventh.
What has gone flawed for Metropolis this season?
Metropolis’s quest is just not helped by a prolonged damage listing that comprises Ballon d’Or winner Rodri, high scorer Erling Haaland, plus key defenders John Stones, Manuel Akanji and Nathan Ake.
“We didn’t have the squad all season, however we adapt,” added Guardiola. “You possibly can see it as an issue or a problem. You would see the place as a catastrophe, but it surely might be worse.
“I’m actually happy for the way in which we’ve dealt with it.”
The weekend 👋 pic.twitter.com/eS9NOILrX4
— Premier League (@premierleague) April 11, 2025
What’s at stake within the Crystal Palace conflict?
Metropolis’s match in opposition to Palace provides the defending English champions the possibility to climb into fourth earlier than Chelsea and Newcastle are in motion on Sunday.
“(Palace) is a group who’ve been in unbelievable, high kind within the final two months, they usually have all the time been troublesome,” added Guardiola.
“I love the supervisor, the way in which they play, the expertise and the physicality they’ve, however, on the similar time, I’m optimistic to complete nicely this season.”
What are Metropolis’s plans to reverse their demise?
With 33-year-old Belgian playmaker Kevin De Bruyne leaving Metropolis on the finish of the season after 10 extremely profitable years, the membership are anticipated to do some switch enterprise within the close-season window, however Guardiola was tight-lipped about their plans.
“I don’t know what’s going to occur (in the summertime),” he mentioned.
“After all the membership is working, however we gained’t have 45 gamers within the squad. It’s not sustainable for the emotion of the group.
“Besides Kevin, all of them have a contract, and we’ll see how they behave, how we’re. We’re going to see.”
Man Metropolis group information
Rodri, Erling Haaland, John Stones, Manuel Akanji and Nathan Ake stay sidelined as long-term absentees.
Metropolis don’t have any different short-term doubts.
Crystal Palace group information
Marc Guehi and Eddie Nketiah are suspended following purple playing cards in opposition to Brighton within the Eagles’ final match.
Maxence Lacroix and Chris Richards are each anticipated to line up in defence, whereas Chadi Riad and Cheick Doucoure stay long-term absentees.
