Guardiola provides update on Haaland’s fitness and praises Marmoush after Man City beat Swansea | OneFootball

Pep Guardiola was full of praise for Omar Marmoush, who was back on the scoresheet for Man City against Swansea after a spell out with injury.

The Egyptian has not started a match since August because of a knee injury, but he was back in the starting 11 in their 3-1 win over Swansea.

Guardiola emphasised the importance of the forward getting back in the goals for the Citizens.

The Spaniard was asked about the challenge Marmoush faced against Swansea’s system: “It’s not easy with that system, five in the back, with central defenders around,” he said.

“With Erling, he knows perfectly how to be patient, how to be in small spaces, how to be consistent, to go to the ones in behind. We have a good delivery with Phil, especially with Rayan Cherki, and of course Nico Gonzalez is getting better and getting better. Now he’s fundamental for us, Nico.

“But all of them, the guys who came to the bench, John, Josko, Phil, everyone was really good. So, yeah, I’m happy for them more because the strikers need goals and for his confidence the goal will be important.”

“Marmoush has been injured for a long time and of course, playing in the position that Erling plays, and Erling is important, but we know in many games we need both and having him back is so nice.”

Haaland missed the squad completely due to a knock he suffered against Aston Villa and asked if he hoped to have him back this weekend, Guardiola replied: “Yeah, I hope so.”

It was not smooth sailing for City as they went 1-0 down in the 12th minute due to a goal from Goncalo Franco. Guardiola appreciated the test that the Championship side gave his men.

“They started well, we were not flat, but they were better. In this competition, the first minutes, the home team always make a boost.

“They deserved the goal, they played impressively, I would say. But after 20-25 minutes, we took the game.”