UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Every word Pep Guardiola said before the UEFA Champions League quarter-final against Bayern Munich
The City boss sat down in front of the press ahead of the huge Champions League tie at the Etihad.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola met in front of the press at the City training ground to discuss the upcoming Champions League quarter-final fixture against Thomas Tuchel’s Bayern Munich. He talked about Bayern’s attacking threats, the reason behind Haaland’s transfer to City, Nagelsmann’s sacking and Napoli (sort of).
On winning the Champions League: “(I want to win it) A lot. We want to try against an elite club like Bayern Munich. You have to deserve it, we try to do the first tomorrow.
“The question (about winning the Champions League) comes since six, seven years ago. It comes every single season. We tried every single season, but there are teams that you face that they are good too.”
“We want to try like all the time but it doesn’t mean we’re going to win. Michael Jordan won six NBA titles, how many seasons he play? 16. We have to be perfect to get a good result to go Germany. The importance is that we’re still there.”
What his opinion is on the Robertson elbow from the linesman: “I heard (about) it, but didn’t see it. I was watching the Bayern game and the golf.”
Facing Thomas Tuchel after losing to him in the Champions League: “It’s happened, we reviewed the game a month later, and it wasn’t as bad as I thought. It was a tight game, but we forget it and we try again. Sometimes you win when you deserve, sometimes you lose. I don’t live in the past. It’s part of the game.”
Pep was asked about Nagelsmann vs Tuchel: “Both are creative managers and the shapes they play. It would be difficult against Naglesmann, and it will be difficult against Tuchel.”
What do you think about Thomas Tuchel going to Bayern: “I was surprised as I was with Nagelsmann (getting sacked). I cannot give a real opinion. When a manager is sacked and the next manager is doing well, people say it’s a good decision. When opposite, they miss the old manager.”
Manchester City are in amazing form...: “What I can say is that the players have reacted really well. In this competition, it’s not about the form in the Premier League. It counts how you perform in the 90 minutes. This competition is good, it doesn’t count what you did three days ago. You have to be perfect in the 95 minutes. Tomorrow night, be ready.”
Are you enjoying chasing three trophies this season?: “No, no, I’m so sad. I’m so, so sad.”
Did you overthink the Champions League final against Chelsea?: “I overthink because I lost. Regardless about it (how we play), if we lose, we lose. Maybe some decisions were wrong, but maybe I make another one and it’s exceptional. Going well, good decision, going bad, bad decision. There are reasons why we take decisions. I don’t give too much credit to say how brilliant I was.”
“Right in that moment. I see the players and see how they connect and the opponent and take the decision. It’s not about regret, it’s not going to change the now, so it’s normal. Before the game, I plan for this reason and this reason. If it happens, I’m right, if it doesn’t, I’m not.”
Did you sign Haaland to win the Champions League?: “He is so important for us. He came to help us to try and win the Champions League, but at the same time, daily, in the FA Cup and Premier League as well. It’s important to have a player who can score from nothing.”
“Against Monaco we scored six goals and we are out. Against Tottenham, we scored four goals and we’re out. Against Real Madrid, four goals and we are out. We have always scored goals (in the Champions League), that was not the problem in general.”
You have stayed at City longer than you stayed at Bayern: “In my hometown, in my country, in my club, what a dream, to start a ballboy and now a manager. When Bayern Munich call, you have to go. This train only passes once. I don’t regret one second what happened there and how they took care of my family. When I came here, I didn’t expect to stay as long as we are but in life, what you plan for the future doesn’t normally happen. I’m here, that’s all.”
What do you think of Bayern Munich?: “They are so creative, very good attacking players. We have to score goals, it is a good test for us. Like I said before, when we start a game we have to perform our best.”
“Bayern are not built for the second leg, they are built to win. If they defend more than usual, it’s because we are doing well. But if we don’t, we will defend more than usual. But I don’t know what’s going to happen tomorrow.”
What about Napoli?: “I don’t want to talk about Napoli because the manager will be so grumpy with me. (He is) So sensitive (laughs).”
“As much you play this competition, quarter-finals, semi-finals, finals with the same players, it’s easier. It’s the feeling of, ‘I’ve been here and I know what to do’. We have played just one Champions League final in our life. But both sides, the moment you start the game you have to be at your best. That will make the difference.”
