Josko Gvardiol admitted he did not expect to return straight into Manchester City’s starting lineup after his injury layoff. The Croatian defender started in Wednesday’s win over Crystal Palace and said he was pleased to get minutes again before the final stretch of the season.
Gvardiol learned about his start shortly before kick-off
Gvardiol said he found out only two or three hours before the match that he would be in the starting XI. The decision came as a surprise, but the defender stressed that players must always be ready when the chance arrives.
He noted that Manchester City have only three matches left, making every minute important. After a difficult period out injured, Gvardiol was happy to return to the pitch and help the team.
Defender says injury became a fresh test
The 24-year-old explained that his recovery had not been easy. After getting injured, he tried to treat the situation as a new challenge rather than only a setback.
Gvardiol admitted he is not yet at 100 percent, but said that is normal after time away from matches. For him, the next step is to build rhythm through more games and more minutes.
Foden earns praise after Palace performance
Gvardiol also praised Phil Foden, who played a key role against Crystal Palace. The Croatian highlighted Foden’s quality in tight spaces and said his contribution was exactly what City needed.
He joked that scoring in his first game back would have been almost too perfect, but left the door open for a goal in the next match. For now, his main focus is regaining full sharpness and helping City finish the season strongly.
