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“Garcia & Ederson Collision Is Part Of Football” – Pep Guardiola
Pep Guardiola said Ederson’s ugly collision with Manchester City team-mate Eric Garcia is “part of football” and did not feel the need to speak to his goalkeeper about the incident.
Teenage centre-back Garcia was clattered at full speed by an on-rushing Ederson late in Wednesday’s 3-0 win over Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium.
Garcia needed treatment on the pitch for several minutes before being taken away on a stretcher and spent the night in hospital after sustaining a concussion.
City boss Guardiola confirmed Garcia will have to miss between a week and 10 days due to Premier League protocols but insists no blame can be apportioned to Ederson for the accidental clash.
“No [I have not spoken to Ederson about it],” Guardiola said of his number one, who visited his team-mate in hospital.
“The way we play, he has to play upfront and he has to react to the situation in a second.
“It’s part of football. Everybody knows that Ederson doesn’t want to hurt any opponent or a mate. It has happened.”
On Garcia, he added:
” As you know, the Premier League rules with concussion in the head he has to have one week to 10 days off.
“We saw him yesterday after the game, he had a little bit of damage to his face. He slept in the hospital, he feels quite good after what happened with Eddy and we are happy he is back.”
