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Tag: Man City

  • Title race: Man City must win all remaining games – Guardiola

    Title race: Man City must win all remaining games – Guardiola

    Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola believes they cannot afford any slip in this season’s title race.

    Guardiola believes his side will probably have to win all their remaining matches if they are to successfully defend their Premier League title.

    A late 1-0 victory over Everton got them back to winning ways after defeat to Tottenham and restored the six-point gap to second-placed in-form Liverpool, who have a match in hand.

    “It’s not the first time we’ve been in this situation and we have learned from that in the past,” said Guardiola.

    “If you want to be champion in the Premier League, against this rival – Liverpool, they are not going to drop points – you have to do your job in nearly all the games.

    “We felt it in the past and we have to do it this year. So it’s not an exception.

    “Eleven games left and we know exactly what we need to do; we need to win all of them or nearly all of them to be champion.

    “Every game will be an incredibly tough battle and you have to face every game knowing if we drop points it will be difficult to be champion.”

  • ‘I don’t sleep well after a defeat’ – Guardiola reacts on Tottenham loss

    ‘I don’t sleep well after a defeat’ – Guardiola reacts on Tottenham loss

    Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola insists there’s no panic after their midweek defeat to Tottenham.

    Guardiola saw his team’s lead at the top of the Premier League cut to just three points after last weekend’s late home defeat by Tottenham.

    While Guardiola admitted the atmosphere at training was “sad” this week, he has attempted to become more level-headed around the players.

    “As I get old, I’m learning to enjoy my profession,” he said. “I accept the defeats in a more natural way. I don’t like it, because I don’t sleep well after a defeat, but I accept that the other ones can beat you.

    “I’m not so dramatic, like: ‘we are going to lose the Premier League’. What’s the problem? The problem is how you behave and how you are as a team.

    “When we don’t do our best we will be in trouble, the guys will be in trouble with the manager. You have to improve, that there is still a margin to do better that we are still not doing.”

    Guardiola has dismissed talk of his team being unbeatable.

    “I appreciate all of your generosity for our team but we are not a team to win all the games over six years.

    “It’s impossible. People believe we will make good runs, we are unbeatable and everything is easy – this kind of thing disturbs me a lot because everything is so difficult.

    “We’ve trained well. A little bit more sad than usual but that’s normal. The players have the answer. I said many times to them I never win a game but I never lose either. Football belongs to them.

    “I’m waiting for how we’re going to react. From what I’ve seen in the last years I know they’re going to perform well.”

  • How Guardiola changed my idea of football in 10 months – Clichy

    How Guardiola changed my idea of football in 10 months – Clichy

    Former Manchester City fullback, Gael Clichy says working with boss Pep Guardiola at Etihad transformed his game.

    Clichy spent six years with City, spending less than 12 months under Guardiola.

    He told Blick: “Guardiola changed my idea of football in 10 months.

    “To understand it, you have to experience it yourself. Guardiola is a very meticulous person. Josep personifies the words that the game depends on the little things.

    “He is very meticulous and pays attention to detail seven days a week, which allows each player to improve.”

  • How I reacted to Man City defeat to Tottenham – Klopp

    How I reacted to Man City defeat to Tottenham – Klopp

    Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has revealed how he reacted to Manchester City 3-2 defeat to league rivals, Tottenham in the English Premier League on Sunday.

    The German also said that the defeat suffered by Pep Guardiola’s side in the hands of Tottenham does not change anything, insisting that City could still win the league.

    The result reduced Manchester City’s lead over Liverpool in the league table to just six points and with victory at home to Leeds on Wednesday, the title race would be seemingly very close.

    The German gaffer was asked how he reacted to Spurs’ win at City, and he told reporters, “In truth, I was on the way home when it was 2-1 to Tottenham and then I arrived at home and didn’t follow it anymore because I was sure they would equalise anyway.

    “Then we went out and the driver was very excited and told me that it was 2-2 and 3-2. When he said 3-2 I thought City had won 3-2 and he said, ‘No, Tottenham won 3-2′, and I said: ‘Oh!’

    “That was my reaction. Nothing changed for us really, we have to win all our games.

    “We expect that [Manchester City to win all their games].”

  • EPL : Jurgen Klopp warns Pep Guardiola over title race

    EPL : Jurgen Klopp warns Pep Guardiola over title race

    Liverpool manager, Jurgen Klopp has warned that his Manchester City counterpart, Pep Guardiola will push them to the limit in the Premier League race.

    The German also said the title race will be decided in March and April.

    Klopp’s men will go three points behind league leaders City with victory over Leeds United at Anfield on Wednesday.

    A run of eight consecutive wins has seen the Reds get to within touching distance of Guardiola’s men in the league, reach the Carabao Cup final and take a big step towards the Champions League quarter-finals.

    Liverpool manager, Jurgen Klopp has warned that his Manchester City counterpart, Pep Guardiola will push them to the limit in the Premier League race.

    The German also said the title race will be decided in March and April.

    Klopp’s men will go three points behind league leaders City with victory over Leeds United at Anfield on Wednesday.

    A run of eight consecutive wins has seen the Reds get to within touching distance of Guardiola’s men in the league, reach the Carabao Cup final and take a big step towards the Champions League quarter-finals.

    When asked about the title race at a news conference on Tuesday, Klopp replied: “First and foremost, it’s important that we are close to the top whoever is at the top because that shows that some things are going in the right direction.

    “In the last four seasons — we were not around one year because of our problems and we had some struggles — but before it was an insane race. Both teams are able to do some special stuff, I have to say with all respect [because] what City is doing is incredible.

    “I think we are pushing each other as well, not only us because I don’t forget the other teams like Chelsea, [Manchester] United, Arsenal and Tottenham. But, we are pushing each other and that’s how it is and it keeps you going. There is no chance to get a bit soft because the other one will be there immediately to catch you.

    “I think what Pep said that we are the pain in the lower back, that’s a good description and that’s how it should be. We try to be as annoying as somehow possible until we have a chance to overtake, but I don’t know when that will be or if that will be the case but what I always said is that we have the decisive moments of the season but it’s not now in February, it’s March and April.”

  • REVEALED: Barca chief rejected Raheem Sterling after meeting

    REVEALED: Barca chief rejected Raheem Sterling after meeting

    Barcelona director of football Mateu Alemany chose to sign Ferran Torres ahead of Manchester City winger Raheem Sterling.

    Nou Camp chiefs did not believe the England international would adapt to life at the club.

    Sport says Alemany met with England forward Sterling and decided that he would not be an ideal fit for the Catalans.

    Alemany reported back to Barca boss Xavi that Sterling was ‘indisputably talented’ but ruled that he would be a ‘martian’ at the Nou Camp.

    Instead the Blaugrana chief proposed the idea of Sterling’s team-mate Torres, who he had already spoken with and was believed to be ‘crazy to come’ to the LaLiga side.

    Barcelona splashed out £55million for Torres and finally registered the Spain international earlier this month after easing the financial pressure on their wage books.

  • Man City table bumper pre-contract offer to Dybala

    Man City table bumper pre-contract offer to Dybala

    Premier League leaders Manchester City have made a bumper pre-contract offer to Juventus striker Paulo Dybala.

    Off contract in June, Dybala is free to sign a pre-contract with any foreign club ahead of leaving Juve for nothing at the end of the season.

    La Gazzetta dello Sport says City have come forward and tabled a deal worth €10m-a-year plus bonuses to 2026.

    City’s offer is the best Dybala has on the table.

    Juve’s last offer was for €7m-a-year plus bonuses to 2025.

  • Chelsea coach Tuchel blasts Lukaku after City defeat

    Chelsea coach Tuchel blasts Lukaku after City defeat

    Thomas Tuchel has lashed out at Romelu Lukaku’s performance for Chelsea against Manchester City in Saturday’s Premier League defeat at the Etihad Stadium.

    Kevin De Bruyne’s second-half strike was enough to seal a 1-0 victory for Pep Guardiola’s hosts, who finished the match with a 13-point lead over the Blues – their nearest rivals – at the summit.

    Unlike his countryman, Lukaku was frequently unable to effect as much control in a frequently muted showing from the visitors – and speaking after the final whistle, Tuchel acknowledged that he had been left unhappy with his efforts.

    “We had eight or nine offensive transitions, but had zero touches in the box,” the German stated in his post-match comments. “That was a big problem today, the performance of our front players. A lack of position, timing and composure. We lost too many balls too easily.

    “Romelu Lukaku sometimes needs to [deliver] the service. He is included in this, he had many ball losses in very promising circumstances. He had a huge chance.

    “Of course we want to serve him, but he is part of the team, and the performance up front, we can do much better.”

  • I rejected Man City before Chelsea move – Lukaku

    I rejected Man City before Chelsea move – Lukaku

    Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku says he turned down a lucrative offer from Manchester City 12 months before his £98m departure from Inter Milan.

    The Belgian striker, who caused a storm in the same interview by saying he is not happy with his situation at Stamford Bridge, suggested he could have returned to the Premier League earlier than he did, and with Chelsea’s title rivals too.

    Lukaku said City offered him a larger salary than his current £212,000-a-week deal at Chelsea.

    He told Sky Italia: “After the first year, I turned down an offer from Manchester City that was higher than Chelsea’s current one, because I didn’t want to (move).

    “It was not the time, it was the first year and I wanted to do something good for Inter because they saved my career.

    “I was in a tunnel at Manchester United. I was a big investment for Inter and we did great things together.”

    Lukaku added: “I think everything that happened last summer was not supposed to happen like this… how I left Inter, the way I left the club, how I communicated with Inter fans – this bothers me because it was not the right time.

    “Now it’s the right time to share my feelings. I have always said that I have Inter in my heart: I know I will return to Inter, I really hope so. I am in love with Italy, this is right moment to talk and let people know what really happened.

    “I really hope from bottom of my heart to return to Inter not at the end of my career, but when I’m still at top level to win more together.

    “I want apologise to the Inter fans, the timing of my words was wrong: what you did for me will remain forever.”

  • Man City fullback assaulted during home invasion

    Man City fullback assaulted during home invasion

    Manchester City fullback Joao Cancelo has been assaulted during a burglary at his home.

    The Portugal international was with his family when the burglary took place.

    A Manchester City statement read: “We are shocked and appalled that Joao Cancelo and his family were subjected to a burglary at their home this evening during which Joao was also assaulted.

    Joao and his family are being supported by the club and he is helping the police with their enquiries as they investigate this very serious matter.”

    Cancelo wrote on Instagram: “Unfortunately today I was assaulted by four cowards who hurt me and tried to hurt my family.

    “The most important thing for me is my family and luckily they are all OK.”