Guardiola: We have to find a solution for Rodri's absence, and it was a difficult match

Manchester City coach Pep Gordiola appeared in press statements after the victory over Fulham 3-2 in the seventh round of the English Premier League.

The coach said: “The match was strong. It was difficult, chances for them, and chances for us. We started well and created many chances, and it was more difficult when they played with five players at the back. It was risky to manage the match, but in the end we succeeded.”

He added about the goals: “The two goals with Kovacic were good when they had five players at the back because only the striker can defend him in this situation and this makes the transitions less dangerous. We used this weapon and Kova was really good.”

He continued: “Rodri’s replacement? Rodri is not with us so we have to find a solution. We have Kovacic and Gundogan, we can put John [Stones] in this role, Rico [Luis] and Manu [ Akanji] So we have to find a way. Of course Rodri's presence is important in this type of match with the transitions, but we played really well.”

Regarding the goal scored by Jeremy Doku: “ He was really great. We always talk about his dribbling ability but it's about the final pass, that final movement. I was diagonal to him [when he hit the ball] and the ball created an incredible curved effect. I'm really happy for him. In the last match against Bratislava he was really good and today too.”

On Fulham: “They are a really good team. Marco Silva is a senior technical director who has been working there for many years already. They have players they bought in the summer, including the Arsenal players they signed [Smith Rowe and Nelson] and they have a lot of quality.”

He concluded: “The first goal was not a pass.” Jimenez is expected by no one, so we have to give credit to the opposition. They had more good chances as well but Ederson made some amazing saves.”