The technician of Manchester City Pep Guardiolaspeaking to BBC Match of the Daycommented on his team’s 2-0 success at Leicester, which brought to an end a period that seemed to be one of interminable crisis: “So many days have gone by without winning when we got used to the best. It’s a relief. The performance wasn’t It was our best thing today, Leicester were good. I’m happy for the players’ result, for their effort today.”
Then again: “We have put in the effort and physicality. Now let’s clear our minds by getting results. We are far from winning the Premier League. We accept that there is no longer any chance, but we have other things to fight for. The FA Cup, finishing in the top four. Today they were better than us in the second half. We cannot sustain the aggression and pressure as usual. We simply can’t do it now.”
The Catalan coach analyzes the bad period, also speaking about the recent derby: “This is just one match. The match against Manchester United hurt us a lot in terms of confidence. That match killed us. That game was a mental struggle, then the difficult games against Aston Villa and Everton. We have to chase victories and that’s life. Most of the players showed once again that they are ready to fight.”
On reaching 500 games as City manager: “Happy for all of us. That’s a lot of games. Lots of memories for the players I’ve worked with from the first cup up until now. The players gave me a nice gift today, celebrating 500 games in this way. Another 500? It won’t happen.”