‘You will see the true Guardiola on Sunday, even without Halaand, I will shame them,’ says Pep Guardiola after Manchester City crushed RB Leipzig last night
Pep Guardiola said after Manchester City destroyed RB Leipzig last night, “You will see the true Guardiola on Sunday, even without Halaand, I will shame them.”
The triple winners lost shockingly to Wolves in the Premier League at the weekend after Newcastle eliminated them from the Carabao Cup last week.
In the Champions League on Wednesday night, they traveled to Leipzig, a venue where they had lost on their previous two trips, and put on a strong showing, controlling the game en way to a 3-1 triumph.
After Lois Openda’s equalizer just after halftime, there were a few tense moments, but late goals from substitutes Julian Alvarez and Jeremy Doku sealed the victory.
Guardiola was in a positive attitude ahead of the encounter, claiming he has always had great faith in his team despite recent disappointing results and expects to play ‘our game’ in north London. City will now travel to the Emirates on Sunday to take on title rivals Arsenal.
Guardiola responded to a question about the significance of putting on such a fantastic performance before playing Arsenal by saying: “Yeah, but I’m not going to judge my team on results.”
“Maybe not the best performances [against Newcastle and Wolves], but it was not easy when 10 players defend in the box,” said the coach.It’s difficult to defend with ten players, five players, four players, a striker, and a holding midfielder all in the box.
So, it transpired that we were unfortunate to score the opening goal and that we lacked sufficient focus. Since there are various games, I can comprehend it.
But despite that, if you think I’m going to have second thoughts about the team or our plans for this season because we had a chance to lose again today, you’re mistaken. You shouldn’t be answering these questions.
“I rely on these individuals without condition, whether we win or lose, since I am aware of their training sessions and the way they approach their game.
“And we’re off to Arsenal to play our game now.” Rest and hopefully we can get there [in the title race] in March, April, or May, close to the events.
We won’t be an easy opponent to beat, I have a feeling.
After the victory over Leipzig, Guardiola singled out the youngster Rico Lewis, calling him “outstanding,” and he may be in position to start in midfield against Arsenal in place of the suspended Rodri.
