LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP)— Bernardo Silva said Manchester City’s mounting injury problems are behind a dramatic collapse from the English champions after they failed to win for the eighth time in nine games in a 2-2 draw at Crystal Palace.

Twice City were forced to come from behind at Selhurst Park through Erling Haaland and Rico Lewis after Daniel Munoz and Maxence Lacroix had put 16th-placed Palace in front.

Lewis was then sent off meaning he will be suspended for next weekend’s derby against Manchester United, adding to Pep Guardiola’s defensive problems.

Defenders John Stones, Nathan Ake and Manuel Akanji were all missing due to injury, while holding midfielders Mateo Kovacic and Rodrigo are also sidelined.

Phil Foden, last season’s Premier League player of the year, has missed the last two matches due to illness but could be back to face United.

“We have to solve our problem in terms of injuries. That’s so, so important,” said Silva. “If the squad is this short then it is always so difficult for all the players to play three days after three days.

“We don’t feel sorry for ourselves and have to fight anyway. Of course we have to fight with what we have at the moment. But with a squad of 20 players, if you only have 13 available, it is not good enough.”

Five of the seven outfield players on City’s bench against Palace were youngsters from the club’s academy.

City face a crucial trip to Italian giants Juventus in the Champions League on Wednesday before turning their attention to the derby on December 15.

Guardiola said he was “proud” of his players’ efforts for finding the resolve to at least salvage a point despite their struggles to hit top form.

“So proud of the team. I liked everything of the team, how we fought,” said the City boss.

“We have a lot of problems with our squad.. We fought incredible. We came back twice. We gave everything and we take a point.”