Pep Guardiola on Manchester City injury latest and admiration of Roberto De Zerbi's Brighton
Category
🥇
SportsTranscript
00:00 Good afternoon, guys, hope you're well, same process as ever, mics on either side.
00:07 Just raise your hands, let us know your last-asked question,
00:09 we'll come to as many of you as possible.
00:10 We'll start with Ian, please.
00:12 Hello, Pep.
00:15 Can I ask first how all your players have come back from international duty,
00:19 are they OK, any problems, injuries?
00:21 Any problems, except Kevin.
00:23 Of course.
00:25 Do you know an update on when we can expect him back?
00:28 No.
00:30 I don't know.
00:31 Facing Brighton, you've been extremely complimentary about them
00:36 and about Roberto Deserbi in the past as well,
00:38 is this the best version of Brighton that you've ever faced, do you feel?
00:43 Last season was really, really good too.
00:45 That's why I qualified for European competitions.
00:48 And for some decisions against them in the last games,
00:54 could fight for being in the Champions League,
00:56 and they continue on the same level.
00:59 When you come up against a team that plays in a similar way to you,
01:03 how much more do you enjoy those games,
01:05 as opposed to trying to break down an opponent,
01:07 which seems to be the case most weeks?
01:09 We don't play in a similar way like them,
01:12 they are unique for the way they play.
01:14 But we have some patterns, like we are aggressive without the ball,
01:18 high-pressing, we want the ball like they want it,
01:22 but the way they play is just how they do it.
01:26 Mike?
01:28 What is it about Roberto Deserbi that you like, Pep?
01:31 Is he a handsome guy?
01:37 No, I don't know, I like him.
01:40 I admire him for the fact that it doesn't matter what team he plays,
01:45 he proves that you don't have to be in a top, top, top club
01:49 with top, top exceptional players
01:51 to make your team play in the way you like to play.
01:54 He came from a country like Italy, the way he plays is a little bit counter-cultural,
01:59 and it doesn't matter what happens,
02:01 playing Sassuolo and the teams that are not maybe considering the top, top, top ones,
02:06 it doesn't matter, San Siro, Turin, Napoli,
02:09 I have the ball, I'm going to play, to play, to play.
02:13 And of course, after winning Shakhtar, Donetsk,
02:15 that was interrupted for the fact, unfortunately, for the war in Ukraine.
02:20 And with, you know, it was a Shakhtar have to win, you know that?
02:26 And it was the same in Brighton, the same.
02:28 So, listen, I'm a spectator mainly as a manager,
02:34 and I enjoy a lot watching his teams playing.
02:37 So I learn, I like it, and everything he does makes sense.
02:40 So, and it's not a surprise the success his team has
02:46 because he's playing deservedly.
02:48 Even when he lost 6-1 against Aston Villa, he plays his own style.
02:53 It doesn't matter, after transitions and deflections, and Aston Villa,
02:57 they are especially top, top, top side this season
03:00 for the quality of the manager and the players they have.
03:02 But they do, whatever they do, it doesn't matter.
03:05 So, and tomorrow will be the example,
03:07 so it will be one of the toughest, toughest tests we have this season.
03:11 And, yeah, we're going to try and go for it.
03:14 You said that he's proving himself not at a top club at the minute.
03:19 Do you think one day he will be at one of the biggest clubs,
03:23 whether that's here or elsewhere?
03:25 He's converting Brighton in a top club.
03:27 Yeah, so Caicedo, McAllister, gone.
03:32 So, Codwell, sorry, Chelsea player, Codwell, gone,
03:41 and continue to play in a good level.
03:43 So that means the patterns are there,
03:45 and the simple things they do perfectly,
03:48 and they have exceptional players, of course,
03:50 but I had the feeling with them, the players are better.
03:54 One last one for me, in the international break,
03:57 Calvin Phillips said that if he wants to be at Euro 2024,
04:00 he may have to leave in January.
04:03 Is that a conversation you've had with him?
04:05 Is that a thought you share?
04:07 No, no.
04:09 The international transfer window is over, summer,
04:12 now we are here together.
04:14 When we need a game, like transitions,
04:19 a game like we need something like, you know,
04:23 a bit of chaos or whatever, Calvin is perfect.
04:26 And for something you need to do, so at that point,
04:30 today I see one or two players that can do better.
04:33 That's as simple as that, there is no more than that.
04:36 But until wintertime he will be here, he is here.
04:39 And after, I don't know what will happen with Calvin,
04:41 with me, or any player.
04:43 So when the transfer is open, nobody knows.
04:45 Hi Pep, still on Brighton, you said earlier this year
04:49 that they had the best build-up in the world.
04:52 I don't know if you still think the same.
04:54 Yeah.
04:55 And how do you mark that?
04:57 Most so difficult.
04:59 Always they find the right man, it depends on the movements you do,
05:02 they find the right man in the right position to have the man free.
05:05 That's why I love, I see the football in this way,
05:10 so it depends how you attack, tell me how you're going to defend me,
05:13 and after I'm going to tell you how we're going to attack.
05:15 It's not different if the winger jams to centre defender
05:18 or striker jams to centre defender.
05:20 So your pattern, your movement has to be completely different.
05:24 And they read perfectly this kind of movement,
05:28 everyone in his position, his position in the game.
05:31 And it's a team that plays so slow, and after they're so quick.
05:36 Like a counter-attack.
05:38 So having the ball played a counter-attack after being so slow,
05:43 they play perfectly with two rhythms.
05:46 And that's why they're a success.
05:49 It doesn't matter how he plays, I always had the feeling that he controls the game.
05:53 After they can lose the game, yeah, of course.
05:55 But he can do it.
05:57 And I know you're not a big fan of individual awards in football,
06:02 but in ten days we have the Ballon d'Or,
06:04 and two incredible stories at least.
06:07 Messi with Argentina, Haaland here with the treble.
06:11 If you had a vote, who would you vote for?
06:14 You're so funny.
06:16 Always I say that the Ballon d'Or has to be two sections.
06:22 One for Messi.
06:26 I look for the other one.
06:28 So Haaland should win.
06:30 Yes or yes.
06:32 We won the treble because we scored 50 million goals.
06:36 But of course Messi, if you tell me the worst season of Messi,
06:40 it's the best for the rest of the players.
06:45 Both deserve it.
06:47 So what can I say?
06:49 Egoistically I would say I want Erling because he helped us to achieve what we achieved.
06:56 I would love it.
06:58 But until he's in third if Leo wins, they won the World Cup.
07:03 But it's nice that many players from Man City will be there for the first time for many years,
07:10 and being challenging for these players to win the trophies.
07:14 That makes us so proud for our organisation, for all of us.
07:19 In midweek, Gareth Southgate was grateful for the cooperation that Man City showed with England
07:29 about John Stones, in particular allowing him to play an hour against Italy.
07:32 Do you feel the benefits now of Stones coming back having got those minutes under his belt
07:36 and played in such an important game for England?
07:39 Because he's not injured.
07:41 We were a little bit concerned.
07:44 We spoke with Gareth. We have an incredible relation.
07:47 Chiqui spoke with him.
07:49 After the game we texted Gareth to me and I replied to him.
07:54 So we were concerned because John hadn't played one minute in the last two months.
07:59 He just recovered and timing on the national team, you never know what's going to happen.
08:03 We didn't want because John had been an important figure for last season,
08:07 all the years, but especially last season.
08:09 We could not use it.
08:11 But of course it's perfect for us.
08:13 He got minutes for the rhythm, but what happens if he's injured?
08:16 This was our concern.
08:18 We told him that and said, "No, we're going to take care of him.
08:21 We're going to get minutes, not 19-19. He has done it."
08:24 We want the players to go to the national team from the UK or from the other countries.
08:28 Brazil, Argentina, Spain, whatever.
08:32 Portugal, Croatia.
08:34 It's perfect for them. They love to play for their country.
08:37 I understand it. I never said, "Don't go there."
08:41 But always they have to understand us.
08:44 When one player didn't play one minute with us, or a few minutes this season,
08:48 for the last month or two months, we were only concerned.
08:51 But fortunately everything was right and he's ready for the next games.
08:55 Because of the congested schedule, the number of games you have,
08:59 internationally all the players are having to play at the moment,
09:01 is that trust between club and country the most important thing for you moving forward?
09:06 Yes, absolutely.
09:08 I think when we can talk our thoughts about anything about managers for national teams
09:16 or relations with the sport directors, it's perfect.
09:20 It should be. Quite often there should be more conversations.
09:25 Maybe they can listen, "This type of player never used this type of training."
09:29 With the gym, for example, it's not good for our physio set.
09:32 They know them for many years, this type of exercises.
09:36 Always at the end we want both the benefit for the player.
09:39 We don't want it.
09:42 Always the target, national team, ourselves, is the player be fit
09:46 and perform at the highest level with us and with the national teams.
09:50 And as much as they talk, much better will be.
09:56 Hi Pep. Some of the two games you lost, obviously Rodri wasn't playing.
10:00 How important is it to have him back now?
10:02 So important.
10:04 Is there any concern at all that opponents will look at how Rodri got sent off in that game
10:09 and think there's a way they can target him there to rile him?
10:14 Or are you convinced he'll have learned from that?
10:16 He will learn. He's sent off, he's sent off.
10:18 But because he's sent off, there are two faults for Rodri.
10:21 The referee didn't apply the rule.
10:26 Without that, he's not sent off.
10:29 So scandal is the fault he got and he was not punished.
10:34 And after, Rodri has to learn.
10:37 Even the mistakes that we do and they do, we have to control emotions, stand up and go.
10:45 But I'm pretty sure he will learn.
10:49 Can I ask about your former club Barcelona and the Negreira scandal.
10:55 What was your initial reaction to those reports coming out?
10:59 When you were at the club, did you see any...
11:01 When there will be the sentence, I will give you my opinion.
11:03 And after now, President Laporte and all the presidents are innocent of all the people saying about Barcelona.
11:09 Barcelona is innocent. President Laporte is innocent.
11:12 And you know, the opposite is proven.
11:16 So wait and see.
11:19 And after we see.
11:20 Can I ask, when you were at the club, did you see any foul play or referee reports that might suggest there was any wrongdoing?
11:26 Sorry?
11:27 When you were at the club, did you see any sort of referee reports that might suggest there was any wrongdoing at all?
11:33 You were so young. You didn't see this team how good play football, my friend.
11:37 It was a scandal the way we played.
11:40 We won all the titles because we were much better than the opponent.
11:43 But you were so young. I will send you videos to see it.
11:47 Embargo for 10.30 this evening please.