Pep prepares City for match despite surgery — the assistant head coach Juanma Lillo has claimed that his boss Josep Guardiola is keeping busy despite undergoing back surgery.

Guardiola underwent surgery in Barcelona earlier this week and City will play their next two matches -— against Sheffield United and Fulham — without their head coach.

Lillo will be in charge of City in those matches, but Guardiola still plays a big role in the team’s preparation process.

“The contact is continuous..

Pep is watching Sheffield right now. What’s important is his health. It doesn’t keep him from being who he is. He’s fully focused on the match.

He is telling us the surgery has been successful, his recovery has to take the necessary time. He feels fine.

We won’t do a video conference because Pep doesn’t want it.

The team is at a good level, you’ve seen him [Doku], he has specific qualities. He can definitely help,.

Every time a new player arrives, we think they are going to bring something and help the team globally. It’s not about him and placing responsibility on him.

Bernardo is that kind of player who, in order to look at his importance, you look at his past. His importance is plain to see” — says Lillo.