Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has been speaking to the media before Saturday’s Premier League game against West Ham at London Stadium (kick-off 20:00).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
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Guardiola tried to brush past questions on the 3-0 loss against Real Madrid: “We are used to these kind of situations. So, next one…”
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On his team selections: “We won or lose against Madrid? We lost, so it was a bad selection. We won or lose at Newcastle? So the selection was good. All the time we are making decisions and I think a lot about what is best for the team.”
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He added: “There is a lot of travel. We can’t play the same XI. I am not thinking about what we have won. My mind is West Ham. I understand you ask about Madrid but I focus on West Ham and Nuno.”
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He says everything is fine with Erling Haaland for Saturday’s game.
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When asked about balancing West Ham and being ready for Real Madrid he said: “Every game is important, my focus is West Ham. I’ve been massacred on decisions and what happened. It’s not my first time. I can argue the decision on the team selection. I will not convince you because we lost. If the argument was before, I could understand. But it’s not about… What was the question?”
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On Premier League sides not performing well in the Champions League at the moment: “Before England was the best league in the world, we were the best but after what happened in midweek we are not. I am sure we are an incredible league. In this, it is a one off game… We could do better.”
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After being asked again about the Madrid loss he said: “My opinion is not going to change. In the first half before the goal, we played exceptionally, we were a threat. Then the goals come and the quality of Valverde it was a completely different game.”
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He looked to avoid discussing Real Madrid again after being asked about overcoming the deficit against: “West Ham. I will think after that. Play the game we have to play that will dictate it. We will see on Tuesday. The league is the most difficult title.”
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When asked about West Ham being “desperate for points” this weekend he said: “We are desperate too.”
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Guardiola pointed to the critical nature of the fixture: “The Premier League is the most difficult title, the Premier League I believe is the most difficult one and still we are there knowing that if we drop points it will be over.”
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On Antoine Semenyo being named Premier League Player of the Month for February: “I’m so happy for him, an incredible guy, he deserves it. I’m so happy for him!”
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[BBC]
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