Pep Guardiola appeared very pragmatic in his press conference ahead of the Premier League game against Watford at the Etihad on Saturday. The boss gave updates on Kyle Walker, John Stones and Nathan Ake, as well as touching on his relationship with Watford's head coach Roy Hodgson, and how he is experiencing this relentless title race, going head-to-head with Liverpool.
Fitness updates:
"He's [Kyle Walker] getting better, we'll see tomorrow..."
"[John] Stones has niggles, like Nathan [Ake] we leave until tomorrow and we see..."
The run in:
"Of course we enjoy it, prefer to be in this position than don't have chance to make back to back titles. After the game, remains six games, already qualified for Champions League, big success. Now we target the Premier League."
"We have to win but perform to win, the result doesn't come for granted. But winning is the most important thing now."
"I love it, fight for knockout stages, every game is important. It means we have done many good things."
"When you have three days between [games], the guys who didn't play train normally, the other guys recover. We do the best we can, just be fresh in the heads and the legs..."
"Definitely [all the games are like knock out games]. We can't drop points but they can't either. The players know it, we were in this position before. We play a final versus Brighton to be able to play another one. If we win we have chance to play another. Try to recover injured players, be fresh in the mind. When we finish tomorrow, another [game] in three days in Champions League. Then Leeds. Be fresh, relax, ready for the moment of the game."
"I don't know [if the Champions League can effect the Premier League title race], I don't think about that. I think of the players available, the best squad to beat Watford. To be here in semi-finals and here to fight in the league is a joy, a pleasure. Premier League is just one month, four months. We try to do good games in the Champions League, then we have one more week."
There is another new manager across town:
"Watch [Erik Ten Hag's] Ajax team and you see his qualities. Congratulations to Erik and Manchester United and I wish him all the best. A top class manager, his teams were a joy to watch at a team like Ajax."
Watford stand in our way:
"Roy Hodgson has incredible experience as manager, we struggled to break down Palace and do good games. Three, four, five games they are in the middle of the table, everyone plays for the same target. Every game is the same important. Watford their quality ,their physicality upfront. We be ourselves and get three points."
"It's not true [I don't speak to Roy Hodgson after Crystal Palace beat City]. After games I speak to managers. I invite managers for a glass of wine. If he beats me, we celebrate. Why should we not be friends. You are happier when you win, sad when you lose. I'm sure it was a joke."
Written by: @coIgcra
Some quotes as quoted by Manchester Evening News and Manchester City.
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