Should Swindon Town v Manchester City go ahead after Covid-19 outbreak? Rodolfo Borrell on the prospects

Rodolfo Borrell has said ‘all clubs are suffering’ at present due to the surging numbers of Covid-19 cases.
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Manchester City assistant coach Rodolfo Borrell was asked about the squad’s frame of mind and whether the FA Cup third-round tie with Swindon Town should still go ahead, during Thursday’s pre-match press conference.

The 50-year-old had to step in to handle Pep Guardiola’s media duties with the latter currently self-isolating after a recent postive case of Covid-19.

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Guardiola is one of 21 members of staff to test positive, including seven first-team players, and it comes in the midst of a spate of matches being called off across the country due to escalating numbers of Covid.

Borrell also confirmed Guardiola is ‘fine’ after testing positive. Credit: Getty.Borrell also confirmed Guardiola is ‘fine’ after testing positive. Credit: Getty.
Borrell also confirmed Guardiola is ‘fine’ after testing positive. Credit: Getty.

However, unlike a host of league games in the top four divisions, the clash between City and Swindon, at present, looks like it will go ahead.

Borrell was quizzed on this during the press conference, and also gave an update on the recent cases at the club.

“We had a Covid outbreak and at the moment we have seven players unavailable, plus up to 14 staff. That's a big outbreak right now,” explained the deputising coach.

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“We are getting it day by day, so we don't know where we’re going to end. At the moment it's seven players out due to Covid, and 14 staff.

Rodolfo Borrell (left) pictured with Pep Guardiola and Juanma Lillo. Credit: Getty.Rodolfo Borrell (left) pictured with Pep Guardiola and Juanma Lillo. Credit: Getty.
Rodolfo Borrell (left) pictured with Pep Guardiola and Juanma Lillo. Credit: Getty.

“We actually have prepared mentally for the game to happen. This is what we've done up until now and we will keep going this way.

“Tomorrow, however, if it is not possible because there is more news, it's out of our reach to know right now. Right now, we are prepared to play the game and mentally we are ready for it.

“All of us, all the clubs are suffering,” he added, on the recent outbreaks across the Premier League and Football League.

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“Some were some weeks ago, some right now, some later. We have to cope as best as we can. As a club, we are going back to the protocols from the beginning of the pandemic: every time there are more infections, try to minimise the risk at the training facility.

“Obviously, there is a little bit of anxiety because we have to test, like all the players from any other club, and almost everybody is thinking ‘who is it going to be today? Are we going to be three, four less, no-one less?’

“There is some sort of anxiety about this, but it's normal like any job or any club, it’s happening right now. So nothing is different. We are coping with it, trying to establish the protocols we introduced at the start of the pandemic, minimise the risk, and we are taking it day by day.”