Pep Guardiola defends Leroy Sane Snub

Pep Guardiola defends Leroy Sane Snub

By Harry Morgan

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has defended his decision to exclude Leroy Sane in his squad against Newcastle United on Saturday and said the reason is purely tactical.

The champions beat Raphael Benitez’s side by 2-1 courtesy goals from midfielder Raheem Sterling and defender Kyle Walker.

But the major talking point, after the game, did not center on the club’s return to winning ways after a draw at Wolverhampton Wanderers last week and the right-back scoring his first goal for the Citizens since he joined the club last season, but rather on the omission of Leroy Sane from the squad.

The German international was surprisingly left out of the Die Mannschaft 2018 World Cup squad with some people believing that he was out of form and others also thinking that he was on form but given a raw deal.

The youngster has failed to command a starting place in Guardiola's team this season, but the Spanish trainer claims the player is not out of form.

“Last game, Phil Foden was not in the squad and I was so sad for him as I am with Leroy now. We have six strikers and I decided to play with two strikers. We have two wingers plus another one on the bench and that's why we decided that he would not play in this game.

“In the next game, he will be ready to play. He played 10 minutes against Wolves, he tried. He was not precise, but he tried. They convince me, I am satisfied from the moment they run. Mistakes without the ball, making decisions is part of the process."

Champions Manchester City got back to winning ways on Saturday with a 2-1 win over Newcastle United at the Etihad Stadium.

Pep Guardiola's side, who were held to a draw by newly-promoted Wolverhampton Wanderers last week, beat Raphael Benitez's side whom they have not lost to since September 2005.

City took an early lead when Raheem Sterling curled in left-back Benjamin Mendy’s pass with a powerful drive in the 8th minute. 

Mendy intercepted a pass from Newcastle's Jamaal Lascelles and turned back to find Sterling, who finished from 16 yards out after curling a right-footed shot past goalkeeper Martin Dubravka.

Dubravka made a great save ten minutes later to deny Gabriel Jesus from scoring from a close-range shot.

The visitors canceled the lead in the 30th minute through DeAndre Yedlin who gathered a cross from Salomon Rondon on the right and charged past Gabriel Jesus to put one home.

It was the American’s first Premier League goal.

Raheem Sterling nearly restored the lead for the champions just before halftime, but saw his header miss the post.

City continued to pressure after the recess, and Kyle Walker restored the lead in the 52nd minute by rifling a shot from 25 yards out after Sterling dribbled into the area and left it for Sergio Aguero, who instead chose to set up his teammate.

Rafael Benitez threw in his first dice three minutes later by bringing on Christian Astu for Kennedy.

Gabriel Jesus nearly extended the lead in the 58th minute, but his attempt was ruled offside.

Martin Dubravka made another nice save on the hour mark to stop Fernandinho from scoring, five minutes before Jose Rondon was replaced with Joselu.

Pep Guardiola responded with the substitution of Riyad Mahrez for IIkay  Gundogan as the champions held on to win.