A short and sweet press conference from the Manchester City boss ahead of the visit of Brighton to the Etihad Stadium this Saturday. Topics discussed included Liverpool rivalry, Roberto De Zerbi, Steven Gerrard, and the latest fitness updates on John Stones, Kyle Walker, and Kalvin Phillips.
Fitness updates:
"John [Stones] has been training the last two days, tommorrow on the [squad] list [against Brighton]. Kalvin [Phillips] is recovering really well. I didn’t speak with doctors about Kyle [Walker]. Hopefully they can help him."
City have had a week off!
"One advantage in seven years, not a problem. We are used to play until the last stages of competitions, all the teams who don't play in Europe have advantage over teams who don't play in Europe. If you take this point, they are better. We rest to prepare the game. Normally we play games where others have more time, we never complain. When we play Arsenal the other teams will rest..."
Brighton manager, Roberto De Zerbi:
"Really happy he's here. I just saw the last two games here, already playing the way they want to play. His impact in England will be massive. I congratulate him by phone when he was appointed, we don't speak again [since]."
"The way he plays, he comes from Italy, he plays an incredible way, they have success with country and national teams. We expect both sides is good, Sassuolo an example, no matter the quality, if you believe in something, one hundred percent the way you want to play, you can do it. He's the biggest example for all the managers. Doesn't matter results, the way you believe, in every place he has been."
"In Brighton took over the team from [Graham] Potter who did an incredible job. So dynamic without the ball, with the ball incredible players like MacAllister, March, Gross. All have incredible quality in small spaces. You see with the ball already what he has done."
Is the rivalry with Liverpool toxic?
"I don't think so. From our side, I'm pretty sure."
"I didn't hear the chants [from Manchester City fans at Anfield]. If it happened I'm so sorry, doesn't represent what we are as a team or a club. If this happens."
Steven Gerrard was sacked at Aston Villa:
"I'm sorry for him. Managers are subjected to results, [in] football the new challenge is behind the corner. He will try again."
Written by: @coIgcra
Some quotes as quoted by Manchester Evening News and Manchester City.
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