Injury woes for Guardiola ahead of Manchester Derby.

Manchester City boss, Pep Guardiola, is hoping five of his key players, including Kevin De Bruyne, will recover in time from their small injuries and exhaustion ahead of the FA Cup final battle against Manchester United.

Guardiola made seven changes to his team in their 1-0 loss to Brentford on Sunday, mostly forced by injuries and exhaustion.

“We have four or five players with niggles, not big injuries, but they are injuries,” said Guardiola as quoted by amp.mancity.com

“The guys who didn’t play here were really, really exhausted the day before and mentally, they were completely drained.

“The guys who are in Manchester - Ruben didn't train for 10 days, Jack Grealish, as well.

“After the game against Brighton, Kevin felt the same feelings that he had before, weeks ago when he could not play a few games. It is what it is.

“It's not a big issue, I think they will be ready. They have to be ready for the training sessions and I am going to see them in three days and that's why today was so important to see these players and how they are.

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“Phil is in incredible form, Riyad as well, Cole was so active in many things.

“To play the finals we have to play the guys who feel better. Not because they played a lot of minutes.

“That’s why it was good to play with these guys and rest the other ones and hopefully the other ones can recover.

“The guys who played today deserved to and it’s important for me to see how they feel.

“And Nathan (returned) after being injured. Aymer (Laporte) came back again and played 90 minutes."

Rest and recovery will be key for Guardiola's men, with the all important UEFA Champions League final to follow after the Manchester Derby.

One player though, who hasn't had much rest, is Kyle Walker.

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“Unfortunately for Kyle I could not give him time to rest because we didn’t have many substitutions.

“But they needed to rest now, to arrive with the right energy and that is going to happen against United and after in the next game in the Champions League.

“Wednesday they will train and recover tomorrow. Hopefully (they will be OK), but right now, I don’t know.”

Brighton, they destroy the other opponents - Guardiola.

       Image: Fabrizio Romano Facebook

Manchester City were held to a 1-1 draw by Brighton & Hove Albion on Wednesday evening at the Falmer Stadium.

Phil Foden put the English Premier League champions ahead in the 25th minute, before Julio Enciso equalized for Brighton with a stunner in the 38th minute.

In a game where the only stat that went City's way is ball possession, which they had 61% of, Brighton, who showed City absolutely no respect, dominated the other aspects; with 20 goal attempts to City's 13, and seven shots on target, while City had four.

Man City boss, Pep Guardiola, says Brighton destroys the other opponents with the type of football they play, and he is happy with how his side responded to their threat, by not dropping the momentum they have been keeping in the past few weeks.

"Brighton, they destroy the other opponents they have been playing. They did it in certain moments, especially the last 10 or 15 minutes, we struggled but we did really well," Guardiola told Sky Sports after the game.

"We cannot drop momentum. I didn't see it, against Chelsea I didn't see it today. During the week we have to rest, recover mentally. It's been demanding for the past six months playing Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and chasing Arsenal. The training now is just relaxed."

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Guardiola says the game was exceptional, especially considering the fact that they played 48 hours after drinking all the alcohol in Manchester.

"Exceptional game. Congratulations to Brighton for their deserved qualification to the Europa League.

"The game we played, 48 hours after we drank all the alcohol in Manchester, 48 hours later we behaved and we showed why we were the champions against that team.

"We showed what we have done with and without the ball. I didn't see one drop in our intensity and idea. They had chances, we had chances, we scored a goal, they scored a goal.

"Both teams want the ball, both teams want to press. The keepers are fundamental in this game. The quality they have, they are an exceptional team."

Guardiola wants City to keep going.

If Brighton & Hove Albion, as well as Brentford, think they are going to meet a Manchester City side with its foot of the pedal after wrapping up the English Premier League title last weekend, they better think again.

Man City boss, Pep Guardiola insists that he wants his charges to maintain their tone leading up to the to cup finals awaiting them.

Man City will face Manchester United in the FA Cup final on 03 June, before clashing against Inter Milan for the UEFA Champions League title on the 10th of June.

"It would be better to maintain our tone," Guardiola said as quoted by amp.mancity.com.

"I’m not talking about win or lose, I want to see that our tone is there.

"We cannot play like we have won [the Premier League]. Against these two teams, if we aren’t ready we will suffer a lot. And after it would be a problem.

"But if we maintain the tone and they beat us, they beat us – it can happen."

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Guardiola expects Brighton and Brentford to raise their game against the EPL champions.

"It is understandable because they play against Manchester City, the winners in the last years of the Premier League and they want to show how good they are, that’s normal."

"The target of the Premier League is done. But we cannot drop much otherwise it will be more difficult."

City will face Brighton tonight (Wednesday 24 May) at the Falmer Stadium at 21:00.

A win or draw for City will stretch their unbeaten run in the EPL to 16 matches. 

Man City vs Brighton, a football romantic's dream.

English Premier League champions, Manchester City, will travel to Falmer Stadium to face Brighton & Hove Albion on Wednesday 24 May, with the kick-off at 21:00.

City have dominated this fixture, having won four out of their last five meetings.

But this will be a different game altogether, with both teams on cloud nine.

City go into the encounter already wearing their EPL champions crown, while Brighton are also in a celebratory mood having secured their dream Europa League spot.

Now, picture these two ball playing sides, both in a party mood, coming face-to-face, with nothing to lose, the stage is set, we can expect them to dance without fear nor care, as if the world is not watching.

Nothing but a superb football should be on display, in true Pep Guardiola and Roberto De Zerbi style.

Brighton boss, De Zerbi has pushed the boundaries a bit with the style of play he has implemented at the club, just like his counterpart, Pep Guardiola did with City, with much success.

To think that Brighton have managed to qualify for Europe, playing the way they do, which is considered to be a risky approach, is just exceptional.

The saying, 'the bigger the risk, the bigger the reward' is epitomized by teams like City and Brighton, but it is even more admirable when it is done by a team like Brighton, and successfully so, without the quality in personnel that City possesses.

Brighton play football without fear, cutting edge stuff at times, averaging 61% ball possession per match in the EPL this season, very close to Man City's 65% possession average.

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On Wednesday evening, quality might be the only difference between the two sides, with City having it in abundance.

But De Zerbi's men will play, they will definitely give it a good go, making the game worth watching.

They can even go a step further, and possibly end City's 12 match winning streak in the EPL.

We have done something exceptional - Guardiola.

Manchester City boss, Pep Guardiola has described winning the English Premier League title as something exceptional.

Exceptional it is, as the Cityzens have become only the fifth English top flight side to win the league title three times in a row.

They have equaled a record set by Huddersfield Town (1924-26), Arsenal (1933-35), Liverpool (1982-84), and Manchester United (1999-2001, and 2007-09).

While the celebrations are still very much going on, Guardiola is already plotting a way to create Man City's own history, that of becoming the first ever English top flight side to win four league titles in a row.

"When we start next season, we are going to try to be the first team to win four Premier Leagues," Guardiola told amp.mancity.com.

"We don’t need decades to think about how good it was. We have the feeling we have done something exceptional."

But for now, it is the UEFA Champions League trophy that Guardiola has set his sights on, which will confirm Man City as one of the greatest teams in Europe.

"To be one of the greatest teams in Europe you have to win the Champions League otherwise maybe people will say it’s not complete," he added.

"But just in case we cannot do it against Inter or next season, what we have done is extraordinary. Everybody knows it."

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Guardiola expects a strong challenge for the title next season, which he believes will require top mental preparations if they are to defend their crown.

"The next season all the teams will want to beat us, it’s normal.

"Defending our crown, mentally we have to prepare for that. That will be the challenge.

"We are going to play with the quality that we have - and human quality. The quality will be there."

City next travel to Falmer Stadium on Wednesday 24 May to face Brighton & Hove Albion, with the kick-off at 21:00.

No celebrations should City win the EPL on Sunday.

Manchester City will host Chelsea on Sunday 21 May at the Etihad, with the kick-off at 17:00.

While a Man City win on Sunday is expected to spark wild celebrations following the manner in which they overtook Arsenal in the EPL title race, modest City boss, Pep Guardiola has other ideas.

Guardiola said a breakfast and a small celebration with 'our people' will be enough.

According to Pep, the big celebrations will be saved for the end of the season.

"We are satisfied to be able to play the Champions League final," said Guardiola in his press conference ahead of the game with Chelsea, as quoted by www.mancity.com

"It is non-stop and now comes the most difficult thing at the end. All the tennis players serve to win Wimbledon know it is the most difficult one.

"On Sunday, the game is in our hands to win the most important competition - the Premier League is the most important because for 11 months it’s every week."

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On celebrations...

"I don’t think so. Maybe we will do a breakfast because we have a game the day after.

"Chelsea deserve it. I would like to feel that we have to win to be champions, but we cannot control Nottingham. We have to win on Sunday.

"We will have time to celebrate at the end of the season.

"On Sunday, if we win we will celebrate with our people."

I never think it belongs to me - Guardiola on City's success.

Manchester City reached their second UEFA Champions League final in three seasons when they defeated Real Madrid 4-0 on Wednesday.

City are also in line to win their fifth English Premier League title in six seasons on Sunday should they beat Chelsea.

On top of that, the Cityzens have a date in the FA Cup against their homeboys, Manchester United.

With his team enjoying some great success, manager, Pep Guardiola has been showered with praises from across the globe.

While he welcomes the kudos, Pep has insisted that City's success is not his alone, but a team effort.

"As a manager, I feel part of something," he said in Friday's press conference as quoted by www.mancity.com

"I never think it belongs to me. I am part of that, I don’t deny it but without the incredible work of sporting director or board. Players are the most important thing.

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"I am part of it and I feel really proud to be here again and have it in our hands. I am part of that. I am not the only person when we lose the semi-final or final of the Champions League. I don’t feel only responsible for that."

Man City will host Chelsea on Sunday 21 May at the Etihad stadium. Kick-off is at 17:00.

It's a dream come true - Guardiola.

Manchester City have an opportunity to a beautiful treble this season, with the English Premier League, FA Cup, and UEFA Champions League titles up for grabs.

And the Cityzens boss, Pep Guardiola, says the situation they are in is a dream come true.

Man City put Everton to the sword on Sunday afternoon, beating them 3-0 at Goodison Park to earn their 11th straight win.

With Arsenal having lost to Brighton, City only needs three points to win the EPL title for the third time in a row.

"It’s a dream come true being here," Guardiola told amp.mancity. com. https://mancity.com/citytv/mens/pep-guardiola-post-everton-press-conference-63819686

"At the end we might not get the trophies and people will say they are not a good team or a failure or a disaster but it’s a dream come true.

"We are the only team in Europe fighting for all competitions, (there is the) FA Cup final with United but still it’s not over, the Premier League never ends, we know it for the past with Liverpool. This season is the same.

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"Arsenal I’m pretty sure will win the two games in hand but being in the semi-final at home with our people at the second leg to try to get to the UEFA Champions League final... it’s an extraordinary achievement."

Grealish, Guardiola believe City can finish Real at home.

An epic battle was expected, and the two sides did not disappoint when Real Madrid and Manchester City played to a 1-1 draw on Tuesday evening at the Santiago Bernabeu in a Uefa Champions League semi-final.

The breathtaking football played by the sides was matched by two rockets for goals, with Vinicius Jr finishing from the edge of the box to put Madrid ahead after a swift counterattack in the 36th minute.

Kevin De Bruyne was not to be outdone as he replied for Man City with a stunner of his own in the 67th minute to level matters.

The result has set up a mouth watering second leg encounter at the Etihad, a game that Man City winger, Jack Grealish, and manager, Pep Guardiola, believe they have every chance of winning.

"We have a new team this year, different players," Grealish told BT Sports as quoted by SABC Sport. https://www.sabcsport.com/soccer/news/we-feel-unstoppable-at-home-jack-grealish-eyes-champions-league-final

"We've learned so much since last year. Now we have the perfect balance of experience and a few youngsters who are just world-class.

"I think we just have quality and I've never felt so confident going on to the pitch and having these players around me.

"Within ourselves at the Etihad, we feel unstoppable there. We came here to try and win, but it shows our character to go a goal down – it's always difficult to play at a place like this.

"In the end I think it was a fair result. They had their chances, we had a few as well."

Man City manager, Guardiola, says the return leg at home will be like a final for their supporters, and it is a game they are looking forward to.

"It was a really tight game. Congratulations to the team because this team (Real) are always so difficult for their history and also their quality.

"We started really well and when we were better they made an incredible transition (and scored).

"When they were better than us in the second half, we scored. It's open to Manchester, it will be a final for our people and we look forward to it."

While a 1-1 away draw gives City an advantage for next week's encounter, you can count on Real to put on another tactical masterclass to come out of the Etihad victorious.

On the other hand, the Uefa Champions League is one trophy Guardiola and his City side will move mountains to get their hands on, and Carlo Ancelotti's men are the mountain almost immovable when it comes to the UCL.

Whether City can do it is anyone's guess, but one thing that is clear as daylight, is another spectacle coming our way next week. 

It is done when it is done and still, it is not done - Guardiola.

Manchester City went top of the English Premier League table after a 2-1 win over Fulham on Sunday afternoon.

Goals from Erling Haaland and Julian Alvarez saw City surpass long time log leaders, Arsenal, whom they trounced 4-1 on Wednesday 26 April.

While a lot of people believe the dream is over for Arsenal, Man City manager, Pep Guardiola says the job is not yet done, although the title is now in their hands.

"At the end of the season, fighting for the title is the best feeling that we can have and the Premier League is in our hands," said Guardiola as quoted by SABC Sport. https://www.sabcsport.com/soccer/news/pep-guardiola-warns-man-city-not-to-destruct-as-people-say-title-race-is-over

"It doesn't matter what happens in London, at the Emirates, it depends on us."

Guardiola says City have to keep the momentum going, perform as they have been doing in the past few months.

"We must just look at ourselves, perform every single game like we've performed the last two, three, four months, do everything and we'll be closer and closer to the something exceptional.

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"We cannot deny, winning another Premier League, how exceptional it would be.

"When you have that depending on us – you can drop it because you are not good, but not because you destruct or you start to listen to the wrong messages that it is already done. It is done when it is done and still, it is not done."