Following Manchester City’s emphatic 5-2 victory over Juventus in the UEFA Champions League, manager Pep Guardiola was effusive in his praise for his team’s performance during the post-match press conference. The win, which solidified City’s position in the competition, was described by Guardiola as a display of the aggression, patience, and quality that have defined the club’s dominance over the past decade.
A Final-Like Mentality
Guardiola emphasized the significance of the match. “Today was more or less a final, we talked about that,” he said. “The first target was to qualify, but we never know who will finish first or second. It’s how we play every game to win. Today we did, that’s what I’m pleased about.” This mindset underscores the high stakes City placed on the encounter, with qualification for the knockout stages a priority. Guardiola’s comments reflect a team that approached the game with relentless intent, treating it as a must-win to set the tone for their ambitions.
Aggressive Without the Ball, Patient With It
The Spaniard was particularly impressed with his team’s approach both in and out of possession. “We were incredibly aggressive without the ball, with it sometimes quicker,” Guardiola noted. He highlighted the tactical balance City struck, combining high pressing with moments of composure. “Ederson was an incredible quarter-back today, making long balls and then we had patience to be calm,” he added, singling out goalkeeper Ederson for his role in initiating attacks with precise distribution. This blend of intensity and control allowed City to dominate Juventus, dismantling the Italian side’s defence while maintaining structure.
Guardiola also expressed confidence in his squad’s self-awareness, noting that they didn’t need explicit instructions to perform at this level. “I had the feeling the players felt I don’t have to tell them, they felt we can compete like we have in last decade,” he said.
A Call to Reclaim Past Glory
Reflecting on the broader context, Guardiola stressed the importance of the performance as a reminder of City’s enduring quality. “Our performance was incredibly good. I was really pleased because the most important is the players have to realise they need to get back what they did in the last decade,” he said. This statement emphasises the need to rekindle the hunger and consistency that have seen Manchester City dominate English and European football in recent years.
Haaland bags City’s third 👌 the machine just doesn’t stop 🤖
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Celebrating Haaland’s Milestone
A significant portion of Guardiola’s press conference was dedicated to praising star striker Erling Haaland, who reached a remarkable milestone of 300 career goals at the age of 24. “All I can say is congratulations! 300 goals at 24; this is quite good right?” Guardiola quipped, before humorously contrasting his own modest goal-scoring record as a player. “His manager was an incredible football player, you didn’t see me, you were too young, but I scored 11 in 11 years - imagine that situation!” he joked, drawing laughter from the press room.
