MANCHESTER, England (REUTERS) - Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said he would not have been able to recover, as a player, from Wednesday's Champions League exit to Tottenham and then beat the same opponents on Saturday (April 20) in the Premier League.
City went out of Europe on away goals despite beating Spurs 4-3 but a single goal from 18-year-old Phil Foden was enough to send Guardiola's side back to the top of the Premier League ahead of Liverpool's trip to Cardiff on Sunday.
"The last two days have been really tough for us," said Guardiola a former Barcelona and Spain midfielder.
"We could have lost the Premier League today - after Wednesday it was really tough. As a footballer, I could not have done what my players have done today. The title is still in our hands."
Guardiola said he had not pushed his players to adopt a particular way of handling the bitter defeat - which saw a late VAR decision deny them progress to the last four.
"I told my players that if they had forgotten what happened it's good but if it still hurts then it's good," he said.
Saturday's game was a tense and nervy encounter with few clear-cut chances as City held on to secure their tenth win in a row in the Premier League and move one point above Liverpool.
Â
"Both teams have incredible players with heart and personality. It was a real tough game after our mental defeat on Wednesday," said the Spaniard.
"It was our not best performance, compared to the other day but today they (Spurs) had nothing to lose and we played to (not) lose the Premier League and after our defeat last Wednesday it was really tough the last two days."
The former Barcelona coach also asked for some perspective about what his team have achieved this season, fighting on several fronts as they look to retain their Premier League title.
"Even if we don't do it, we've been on a remarkable run; every day with this club and these players. It doesn't matter what happens next; we'll fight until the end - we'll see how far we get.
"Twenty-four months doing that, when you have 100 points and 86 now... after what we have done last season, being in the final of the FA Cup, the team was incredible this season and that's why they don't have to show me their character.
"This is one of the best Liverpool (sides) ever, one of the best sides I ever play (against) and every three days being there, being there, being there, it is remarkable. I want to win it but I will not judge (them) if we don't".
Cardiff City's Kenneth Zohore struck deep into stoppage time to secure a crucial 2-1 win on Saturday at fellow Premier League strugglers Southampton, who thought they had snatched a point with a
Zohore gives Cardiff win over Southampton in frantic finale
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is relaxed about Mohamed Salah's goalscoring drought, saying the Egyptian forward remains a key part of the title chasers' attacking armoury. Salah, who scored 44
Klopp relaxed about Salah's Liverpool drought - World Soccer Talk
worldsoccertalk.com/2019/04/03/klopp-relaxed-about-salahs-liverpool-drought/
London (AFP) - Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is relaxed about Mohamed Salah's goalscoring drought, saying the Egyptian forward remains a key part of the title chasers' attacking armoury. Salah, who scored 44 times in his maiden season at Anfield, has gone eight matches without finding the net bu
Jürgen Klopp unconcerned by Mohamed Salah's goal drought
Ajax stunned Juventus to reach the Champions League semi-finals for the first time since 1997 as Matthijs de Ligt's thumping second-half header secured a 2-1 second-leg victory in the last eight
Ajax stun Ronaldo's Juventus to reach Champions League semis
Singapore Air's New Cabins Take Luxury to Another Level Bloomberg The flag carrier on Thursday unveiled its first major overhaul across cabins of its Airbus SE A380s since 2007, when it became the first to fly the double-decker aircraft.
YNWA: How You'll Never Walk Alone became a Liverpool FC
David de Gea has had a difficult few weeks for Manchester United, but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer still has faith in him. London, April 26: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is not contemplating taking Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea out of the firing line despite some high-profile errors in recent weeks.
Solskjaer reaffirms De Gea faith after Romero injury
Bayern reach German Cup final to keep double in sight
Madrid will deploy an unprecedented number of police and security personnel for Saturday's all-English Champions League final, and use a drone for the first time to monitor fan activity.
Madrid plans 'robust' security for all-English CL final
Cardiff players afraid to fly after Emiliano Sala tragedy, reveals captain Sol Bamba. Proud Neil Warnock says his Cardiff players put on a performance for the missing Emiliano Sala at the
EPL: Sol Bamba dedicates goal to Emiliano Sala, Richarlison
After scoring his 35th goal for France against Iceland, Olivier Giroud wants to surpass Michel Platini's total of 41. Olivier Giroud has Michel Platini in his sights after moving third among
Giroud targets passing Platini's France goal haul - Sportstar
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp admitted his side cannot meet the heights of Manchester City's football, but they may still deny them the title. We do it our way, says Klopp after another late
Football: We do it our way, says Klopp after another late
Sergio Aguero's hat-trick led Manchester City to a 3-1 win over Arsenal on Sunday and back into second place in the Premier League, two points behind leaders Liverpool.
Aguero hat-trick fires Man City to 3-1 win over Arsenal
Get more information about EMILIANO SALA at straitstimes.com. Skip to main content. Toggle navigation The Straits Times More than 3,000 bid farewell to Sala in Progreso. Feb 18, 2019, 5:00 am.
Emiliano Sala's Grieving Argentine Hometown Bids Farewell
Champions League final: Harry Kane starts for Tottenham against Liverpool as line-ups revealed. The England striker has not played for almost two months with an ankle injury sustained in the
Tottenham's Kane starts Champions League final - espn.com
0 comments:
Post a Comment