Pep Guardiola has encouraged his players, citing Rafael Nadal's indomitable mental strength, which guided him even to win battles with injuries and pain. 

Guardiola also has urged his footballers to play through the pain. 

The injury-stricken defending champions will be missing nine of their first-team players in their upcoming Premier League match against Bournemouth. 

Ballon d’Or winner Rodri, Oscar Bobb, and Kevin De Bruyne have long-term injuries. At the same time, Savinho, Manuel Akanji, and Josko Gvardiol picked up issues during the midweek Carabao Cup defeat to Tottenham. 

Guardiola had previously ruled Jeremy Doku, Jack Grealish, and Kyle Walker out until after the international break.

“There are moments when injuries are serious and require caution, but sometimes, if you have minor problems, you have to play. Rafa Nadal played his entire career with pain. He played and won—I don’t know how many Grand Slams. In modern football, you have to handle these situations, or it’s impossible to sustain playing every three days at a top club. We’ll adapt tomorrow and in the games ahead,” explained Guardiola.