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Tag: Pep Guardiola

  • 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.”

  • EPL: Pep Guardiola reveals tactics behind Man Utd win

    EPL: Pep Guardiola reveals tactics behind Man Utd win

    Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola says their possession game was a tactic to win at Manchester United today.

    City bossed the game and won 2-0 via an Eric Bailly own goal and a Bernardo Silva effort.

    Guardiola spoke of Phil Foden’s performance before explaining their possession game on the day: “More to come – he is so young. We play more games of our life. The City Blues, we know how important it is.

    “Here at Old Trafford always a good performance in general since we are together, We have won many times, much more than at any other stadium. Solid performance, good game and deserved victory. Three more points.

    “You have to put the ball in the fridge. A lot of passes, a lot of passes. Except 10 minutes in the middle when I thought we lose stupid ball, really good.

    “The move is the ball, everyone has to be in their position. When you move much, not good. The ball comes where we are.”

    Asked of City should have scored more, he continued: “It is OK. I am so demanding, we are so demanding for ourselves but I am very pleased. This is the game we needed.

    “They [Manchester United] are so dangerous. That is why we had a game with a lot of control. If you let them run at Old Trafford it is a little bit like Anfield. They are built for that.

    “We played the game we needed today. You have to play quick, to move the ball and do the touches every player need but also try to put the ball in the pocket.

    “The game was 2-0 and everything was comfortable. I felt didn’t need to change.

    “Three games now 27 left. We dropped points at home. Right now Chelsea are unstoppable. We know we cannot drop much points to be close to them but against the big six we performed well.

    “The most important is we came to Old Trafford and can say these guys played good. This is what I am happy the most after six years here. We tried to play our game.”

  • EPL: I don’t have another 5 years at Man City – Guardiola

    EPL: I don’t have another 5 years at Man City – Guardiola

    Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola can’t see himself staying at Etihad Stadium for another five years.

    Guardiola will take charge of his 200th Premier League game for the Citizens when Crystal Palace visit Manchester on Saturday.

    TheNewsGuru reports that, since Guardiola arrived England in 2016, he has guided City to the league title three times, the FA Cup once and the EFL Cup four times.

    When asked if he’ll do another 200 he says simply, “No.”

    “I have had many years here, 200 games is for many years and because we won some games,” he adds.

    There are no secrets. We are judged for the results – not for how good we are or bad we are. Just for the results. You can get this milestone because of what we have done decent with the players.

    “I don’t have any regrets. I could not ask any more than we have done so far. I am more than delighted with what we have lived together. Hopefully in the years, we can continue to do well.”

  • I can’t guarantee Sterling playing time – Guardiola

    I can’t guarantee Sterling playing time – Guardiola

    Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has defended his management of Raheem Sterling.

    Following the news that Sterling may be prepared to Manchester City in search of regular football, Guardiola said he cannot “assure” players of how much they will play.

    “I cannot assure how many minutes players are going to play, they have to show it on the grass,” he said.

    “That is the best moment, not for Raheem, for all of them.

    “They are all involved. What I want for Raheem and for everyone is to be happy. They have to be satisfied, and if they are not, they are free to make decisions that are best for them, their family and everyone who loves them.

    “As a football player, they all want to play 90 minutes, but I cannot assure them, they have to prove it in training.”

  • UCL final: How Tuchel outsmarted Guardiola – Wenger

    UCL final: How Tuchel outsmarted Guardiola – Wenger

    Former manager of Arsenal football club, Arsene Wenger has revealed what Chelsea’s manager, Thomas Tuchel did to outsmart Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League final on Saturday.

    Chelsea won their second Champions League title since 2012 thanks to a Kai Havertz’s goal.

    Wenger in his post-match analysis explained how Tuchel managed to outsmart Guardiola to claim his first European title.

    “I must say as well, what Tuchel did well was play Mount and Havertz more inside defensively, so City could never find a way through the middle and they had to go wide, where Chelsea were quite strong.

    “So Man City had a big tactical problem that they could never sort out. They were not balanced, they didn’t find a way to play incisive football and Chelsea stopped them very well.”

    Wenger also stated that recent results – Chelsea beating City 1-0 in the FA Cup semi-final and 2-1 in the Premier League – left City ‘insecure’ ahead of the Champions League final.

    He added: “Guardiola has just been voted manager of the year in England, because he won the (Premier League) championship and dominated, but a final is only one game and that’s where you have to turn up and play at your best.

    “For Manchester City, that was not the case. They lost three games against Chelsea before. That strengthened Chelsea’s belief, and certainly made Man City a bit insecure.

    “We never know exactly what traces that defeats leave in our mind, but it shows that Chelsea were convinced they could beat them”.

  • Guardiola defends tactics after Champions League final loss

    Guardiola defends tactics after Champions League final loss

    Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola defended his lineup selection and tactics after 1-0 defeat to Chelsea on Saturday in the Champions League final.

    The Spaniard said he did what he thought was right by cramming his team with creative forces.

    “I did what I thought was the best decision [on his team selection],” Guardiola said to BT Sport.

    “Kevin de Bruyne got injured but that happens in this competition and in these games. We needed everyone.

    “The ambition now is to rest but then prepare for the next season. It was the first time we were at this stage. Hopefully we will be here again in the future.

    “It has been an exceptional season for us. It was a tight game. We had chances. We were brilliant in the second half, we were brave and we could not convert the chances as they were so strong. The players were exceptional. We come back maybe one day again!”

  • I’ve had a very weird season – Sterling

    I’ve had a very weird season – Sterling

    Manchester City winger Raheem Sterling has admitted his poor form this season under Pep Guardiola at Etihad.

    Sterling has played a vital role in City’s domestic success over the past five years, helping them win back-to-back titles in 2017-18 and 2018-19 while taking his tally of goals for the club to 113 across all competitions.

    However, the 26-year-old has seen his role reduced slightly this term, with Guardiola having been forced to rotate his squad more often than usual due to the congested fixture schedule caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

    Sterling has struggled for consistency throughout the campaign as he’s been drafted in and out of City’s starting XI, and has opened up on his frustration ahead of their Champions League quarter-final second-leg clash with Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday.

    “Don’t get me wrong, this season for me personally has been a very weird one,” the England international said during a sit down with Rio Ferdinand for BT Sport.

    “But nevertheless I’m still enjoying my football and giving my all to the team. If I don’t score or do something to help the team I’m not happy coming off the field.

    “Of course I am happy we’ve won but at the same time I think that’s what helps me to get these goals is to be that driven and it’s the perfect time in the season now.”

  • If City sign Lukaku I’ll no longer support Guardiola – Cassano

    If City sign Lukaku I’ll no longer support Guardiola – Cassano

    Former Italy forward Antonio Cassano says he’ll no longer be a fan of Pep Guardiola should Manchester City sign Romelu Lukaku.

    The former Manchester United striker has been outstanding for Serie A champions-elect Inter Milan for the past two seasons and his form has led him to being mentioned as a target for City.

    Cassano believes Lukaku isn’t suited to Guardiola’s system.

    He said, “If Guardiola takes him, I won’t support him anymore.

    “What does Lukaku have to do with his idea of the game? To increase his salary? Then they (Inter) will renew his contract.”

  • Haaland is a bastard – Pep Guardiola

    Haaland is a bastard – Pep Guardiola

    Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola branded Erling Haaland a “bastard” after their Champions League defeat of Borussia Dortmund.

    After the 2-1 win, the Spaniard revealed afterwards how he struggled to contain football’s hottest properties.

    When asked if he was surprised about how the Dortmund midfield pressed his team, Guardiola told DAZN: “No, not surprised because I faced them when I was at Bayern Munich and they played five at the back.

    “The rest of them play that system and the quality of [Mahmoud] Dahoud, [Jude] Bellingham and, of course, the pace of the people up front – the quality is there. We know it was.

    “But when you want to press they play long balls. They play long balls to Haaland – Haaland is a bastard. Link-up [play] is always perfect and they have the pace so we knew it was not easy to control them.”

  • Messi reveals his two best coaches

    Messi reveals his two best coaches

    Lionel Messi has revealed the two coaches that made major impacts on his career, describing them as the best.

    Messi made this known, counting himself “lucky” to have worked under Pep Guardiola at Barcelona between 2008-12.

    He said the Spaniard brings “something special” to coaching, comments that are likely to fuel speculation the pair could reunite at Manchester City.

    Recall Messi was a mainstay of Guardiola’s Barca side that won 14 major titles, and has been linked with a switch to City since the manager signed a new deal that will keep him at the Premier League club until the end of the 2022-23 season.

    The Argentine player is into the final few months of his current contract in Spain having unsuccessfully tried to leave Barca during the close season.

    “Pep has something special,” Messi told Spanish television channel La Sexta.

    “He makes you see things in one way: how he prepares for matches, defensively, how to attack … he told you exactly how the match was going to be, how you had to attack to win.

    “I was lucky … to train under Guardiola and Luis Enrique, the two best. Having them made me grow a lot physically and mentally, and also the tactical wisdom they’ve taught me.”

    Guardiola said last month that he is unsure what the future holds for Messi but hopes that, as a Barcelona fan, he will remain at the La Liga club until the end of his career.