Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said on Friday he was pleased with the way the reigning Premier League champions had adapted without key players and stressed his side will have to be optimistic about chasing Champions League qualification.
City's campaign has been hindered by a rash of injuries, with Ballon d'Or winner Rodri, twice Premier League Golden Boot winner Erling Haaland as well as defenders John Stones, Manuel Akanji and Nathan Ake among those sidelined.
City are sixth in the table with 52 points, trailing fourth-placed Chelsea by one point with seven rounds of matches left.
But Guardiola's side received a massive boost after the Premier League was guaranteed at least five teams in the 2025-26 Champions League after Arsenal's 3-0 win over Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League quarterfinal on Tuesday.
"(Injuries) happened all season, we adapt," Guardiola told reporters ahead of Saturday's home game against 11th-placed Crystal Palace. "You can see it as a problem or a challenge, the position is a disaster or it could be worse.
"I'm happy with the way we handled the situation and where we are.
"The challenge is to qualify for the Champions League next season; the home games, difficult ones we have and tomorrow we have a team in incredible top form in the last month or two months.
"Always it's difficult with Palace here, I admire a lot the manager (Oliver Glasner) and way they play, the talent and physicality there are no doubts. But we have to be optimistic to finish well this season."
TRANSFER PLANS
With 33-year-old Belgian playmaker Kevin De Bruyne leaving City at the end of the season after 10 highly-successful years, the club are expected to do some transfer business in the close-season window but Guardiola was tight-lipped about their plans.
"I don't know what will happen (in the summer), he said.
"Of course the Club is working but we won't have 45 players in the squad, it's not sustainable for the emotion of the team.
"Except Kevin, they all have a contract and we will see how they behave, how we are. We're going to see."
Guardiola was also asked about winger Jack Grealish and midfielder Phil Foden after the duo were involved in incidents with Manchester United fans in Sunday's goalless Manchester derby at Old Trafford.
A 20-year-old man was charged with assault for allegedly slapping Grealish at the end of match, British media said.
Fellow England international Foden was subjected to insulting chants during the first half of the game.
"It's happening everywhere — it is a crazy world. Everything is happening all around the world — it is not just a sport issue," the Spaniard said.
"It is not about United, a specific club or department of football. It is happening everywhere, take a look around and you will realise. I think we aren't on the right path.
"He (Grealish) doesn't feel good, but we move forward."
FODEN, GREALISH ABUSE EXAMPLES OF 'CRAZY WORLD'
Guardiola said Jack Grealish and Phil Foden "don't feel good" after they suffered abuse in separate incidents during last weekend's 0-0 draw at local rivals Manchester United.
A man has been charged with assault after Grealish was allegedly slapped by a supporter as he left the field.
Guardiola was outspoken in his criticism of fans after the game for an offensive chant about Foden's mother during the match.
"If you take a look around you will realise we are not in the right path," said Guardiola on Friday.
"They (Foden and Grealish) don't feel good but we move forward.
"It is happening everywhere. It's a crazy world, right? Everything happens all around the world, not just in sport. Nobody is away from that.
"I know it's happened sometimes in our club but it's not a problem about a specific club, or specific department in world football. It happens everywhere."
At this stage of the season City are used to battling for the Premier League title, but this time find themselves down in sixth and scrapping just to qualify for next season's Champions League.
There was some good news for Guardiola this week with confirmation that a top-five finish will be enough to reach the Champions League thanks to the strong performance of English sides in European competition.
Just six points separate Nottingham Forest in third from Aston Villa in seventh.
And City's quest is not helped by a lengthy injury list that contains Ballon d'Or winner Rodri, top scorer Erling Haaland plus key defenders John Stones, Manuel Akanji and Nathan Ake.
"We didn't have the squad all season but we adapt," added Guardiola. "You can see it as a problem or a challenge. You could see the position as a disaster but it could be worse.
"I'm really satisfied for the way we've handled it."
City host the in-form Crystal Palace in Saturday's lunchtime kick-off, giving the defending English champions the chance to climb into fourth before Chelsea and Newcastle are in action on Sunday.
"(Palace) is a team who have been in incredible, top form in the last two months and they have always been difficult," added Guardiola.
"I admire the manager, the way they play, the talent and the physicality they have but, at the same time, I'm optimistic to finish well this season."