Jack Grealish’s rollercoaster season at Manchester City took another frustrating turn as he was handed a rare start against Real Madrid—only to be forced off with an injury.
For the opening minutes, Grealish looked like his old self, threading a perfect pass to Josko Gvardiol, who set up Erling Haaland for City’s opener. But his night ended early, with Phil Foden replacing him after he suffered what seemed to be a groin issue.
With Grealish’s limited playing time becoming a talking point, Pep Guardiola addressed the situation, making it clear:
“It’s Not Personal” – Pep Backs His Selection Choices
Speaking at a press conference, Guardiola didn’t dodge the tough questions about Grealish’s lack of minutes.
“I’m so sorry they don’t get the minutes they maybe deserve, but the contributions from Jeremy [Doku] and Savinho have been massive this season,” Pep explained.
He emphasized that it’s not a matter of trust or preference, just the reality of squad competition:
“It’s not personal, or that I don’t like Jack, or that I don’t have confidence in him. Of course, when you play one player more than another, it means you have more confidence in them at that moment.”
Pep also highlighted Savinho’s breakout performances, calling him one of the biggest surprises of the season:
“His impact in goals, assists, and defensive work, especially against Arsenal, has been incredible. That’s why he’s getting minutes. Managers have to pick the player who’s best suited for the moment. It’s as simple as that.”
What’s Next for Grealish?
Now, the biggest concern is how serious Grealish’s injury is. With City set to travel to Madrid for the second leg, his availability could be crucial.
But regardless of his injury, Grealish now finds himself in a fight for his place—and if he wants to reclaim a regular starting spot, he’ll need to prove that he offers more than just ball retention.
The good news? Pep hasn’t written him off. The question is, will Grealish fight his way back into the XI or get left behind as City continue their pursuit of silverware?
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