Pep Guardiola faced the media ahead of tomorrow's visit to the Amex Stadium for the 17:30 kick-off against Graham Potter's Brighton side. The boss offered his support for the Manchester City fan attacked in Belgium after the Club Brugge match, spoke in support of Steve Bruce following his departure from Newcastle, the wellbeing of the team, and Brighton.
Firstly, here's what Pep had to say about the supporter:
"On behalf of all of the club, the organisation. From our chairman Khaldoon to the last person. For him, we are quite optimistic because in the last hours he's getting better. He has all the support from the club. A big, big hug for him and all his family. We wish he can come back to follow us. Still, it's difficult to understand this happens, sometimes these kinds of terrible things. Hopefully, in Brugge, they will take the right action for the people who were involved."
Guardiola donned a 'We're with you Guido' t-shirt in support.
Pep on Steve Bruce:
"I read the post on Twitter from Saint-Maximin, this is for me what Steve Bruce, he is an exceptional gentleman. Always took care of me, I wish him all the best. I'll tell him don't pay much attention to the comments because it is bull****. Steve Bruce and all other managers want to try to do the best, sometimes you win sometimes you lose, he does not have to worry. I'm pretty sure everyone in Newcastle, especially the players, know who Steve is. I will him well. All the best, hopefully, I can see him soon."
What Pep said on Brighton:
"I enjoy watching Brighton, it's an exceptional team.
"No. I don't talk to players about that [Brighton yellow card record]. I know exactly the game we're going to face and the players know. Absolutely not [sense of revenge] football you win and lose.
"Last season we were champions, we were preparing for Champions League final, this season we're fighting to be champions. I think they are the same."
Pep on City failing to win the last four matches immediately after a Champions League fixture:
"Listen, if you want to involve the statistics of this team over the last four years, you are going to lose. In statistics, nobody can beat us – so, I'm sorry. I don't pay any single attention about before international break or after the international break, before the Champions League or after Champions League – I see how is the team, how they trained today, they behaved the last games – this is only what I'm concerned [about]. To adapt, to adjust – not about the mentality, just a little about the strategy, the opponent we're going to play is different to Brugge, Chelsea, Liverpool. We will go there and have a good game."
Pep on if he enjoys being a manager:
"We are incredibly criticised more than the worst in society because we don't win games it's simple as that. I'm treated good because we win sometimes, I'm treated bad because we lose. I love it, I love it. I pay no single attention. I know as a manager the success is because we have done it, not I have done it. From CEO, our incredible workers, the players, of course, that's why we're here, the staff and backroom staff the success is because we have done it. Because we are in front of the media every three days, that's why people believe we're responsible for that. the influence is much much minor. In society you want to point [blame] at one person, this person, it's difficult to understand football is collective and everyone is involved in that, never have I thought I win a game, never ever. I am good because my mates help me. We need egos to be better of course and for the people who just like to be about themselves and that - I don't like to be with them."
Pep on team news:
"The team is in very good condition [no new injuries]."
Written by: Written by: @NA1907_
All quotes as quoted by Manchester Evening News and Manchester City.
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