Games at Palace always difficult: Pep
LONDON • Despite suffering a setback in midweek after losing to Tottenham Hotspur in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final, Manchester City are still on course for an unprecedented quadruple.
So whenever his squad's character is questioned - even when the criticism comes from within - Pep Guardiola has to leap to their defence.
City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan, whose contract expires at the end of next season, was scathing in his assessment of their defeat by Spurs, claiming the visitors were "not brave enough" in north London.
But, ahead of today's Premier League match at Crystal Palace, who beat City 3-2 in the league last December, Guardiola refuted his remarks, insisting that while "he (Gundogan) can say whatever he wants", he "absolutely did not agree" with them.
"We have been for 20 months incredible, two games in the last 24 lost. Twenty months, winning every three days, 180 points over the past two seasons," Guardiola said.
"We had two days' rest, they (Spurs) had six. Unfortunately, we could not score, but we have the second leg (on Wednesday) with our friends at home and we'll go for the semi-finals."
While he remains hopeful of turning things around in the reverse fixture, the title race must first take precedence, and the Spaniard knows that "Selhurst Park is always difficult because of the stadium and the quality of the players".
The City manager said: "We knew it weeks ago, how it would be between these important games. There are six games left (in the league).
"We know what we are playing for and we are going to see."
He also revealed midfielder Bernardo Silva and defender Oleksandr Zinchenko were touch and go for the meeting with Roy Hodgson's men. Silva, whose creativity was sorely missed against Spurs, has been one of City's standout players this term, but Guardiola will not take any chances with his fitness as their campaign draws to a close.
Calling the Portugal international an "incredible player", he added: "We will see today. Playing wide, he is a fighter.
"He's so intelligent and clever defensively. He knows when to cut back inside and, with the ball, he can do anything."
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, REUTERS
CRYSTAL PALACE V MAN CITY
Singtel TV Ch102 & StarHub Ch227, 9.05pm
Chelsea hold on against Brighton to consolidate top four spot 16 Dec 2018 - 18:51 Chelsea's Ross Barkley shakes hands with David Luiz after the match Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge
Chelsea hold on against Brighton to consolidate top four spot
Liverpool's stunning victory over Barcelona in the Champions League semi-finals on Tuesday was made possible by the belief manager Jurgen Klopp's has instilled in his squad, according to Jose
Jurgen Klopp mentality behind Liverpool's historic comeback
MADRID (AFP) - Lionel Messi wants Ernesto Valverde to continue as Barcelona coach but admits the team have not recovered from their Champions League loss to Liverpool as they face Valencia in the
Messi backs Valverde but admits Barca are still hurting
Spurs now within six points of Premier League leaders Liverpool. Fatigue may yet still derail Tottenham's bid to win a first trophy under Pochettino. Everton struck first in a wildly open contest
Spurs shine to hit Everton for six - Afriupdate
Football: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer gives stars 'licence to express', says Dwight Yorke The key to the Red Devils' surge in form has been the caretaker's perceptive man-management skills, said former
Ole gives stars 'licence to express', says Yorke, Football
Football news - Wolves beat Bournemouth in their best top
Neymar banned for three Champions League matches over ref rant. By . AFP. They get four guys who don´t understand football to watch a slow motion replay in front of the TV," Neymar wrote in
Neymar banned for three Champions League matches over ref
Football: Di Maria and Mbappe among the goals as PSG win big
Sport's News. We do it our way, says Klopp after another late Liverpool win
SINGAPORE - Former Football Association of Singapore (FAS) general secretary Winston Lee withdrew his candidacy for one of nine seats on the executive committee members of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), just before the Asian football body's congress in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday (April 6).
Ng: Lee requested and facilitated donation, not ex-FAS
Bayern Munich reach German Cup final to keep Double in sight Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich beat Werder Bremen 3-2 with two goals from Robert Lewandowski on Wednesday to advance to the German
0 comments:
Post a Comment