Guardiola excited by title pressure ahead of Spurs trip
CGA, Manchester, UK
CGA, Manchester, UK
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SportsTranscript
00:00 [Pause]
00:10 Same process as ever please, with a mic on either side.
00:13 Raise your hands high, if you'd like to ask a question.
00:16 We'll set an embargo part way through for 10 to 13.
00:19 We'll start with Simon please.
00:21 Hi Pep, what's the jeopardy in tomorrow's game for Manchester City?
00:29 It's obvious, I would say.
00:33 We have not just one option because we win the game and we travel for that.
00:40 It's just that the last four games you've scored 15 goals, you've conceded one.
00:47 You haven't looked in any particular danger.
00:51 A lot of people think, although this looks on paper like a difficult game at ground where you've struggled,
01:00 that this title race is already done.
01:02 I have a theory as a manager that what we have done yesterday is over.
01:07 15 goals is fine because it gives us the points to still be here,
01:12 but it doesn't give you an extra thing for tomorrow when we start the game.
01:16 Yesterday and today we saw what the sport is as a team.
01:22 We played twice this season and we saw what has changed lately.
01:26 Different players are playing.
01:28 The mindset is easy.
01:33 In terms of winning, we are not going to win the Premier League.
01:38 This is what we have to do, to know exactly what we are as a team.
01:43 It's so demanding.
01:46 I've always been there, but especially this season because they are more proactive than in the past
01:52 with different managers.
01:55 They are so aggressive.
01:57 It doesn't matter what the result is, they are losing 4-0 in Anfield.
02:01 They continue to do the game plan, stick to what they believe.
02:06 The difficulty is there, but at the same time we know we are playing for.
02:12 To give us a chance for the last game at home, depending on us.
02:16 This is the mindset we have and we have to have.
02:19 Do you enjoy this time?
02:21 Yes, absolutely.
02:24 Hi Pep, can I ask about Nathan Aki and Jack Grealish?
02:30 Are they going to be available for this one?
02:32 Jack is recovering from his illness.
02:37 Nathan was much better yesterday, now we are going to train and see if he can train or not.
02:46 Not serious then?
02:48 No, I don't think he's not serious, but I don't know.
02:51 We have just two days and a half, three days since the last game tomorrow.
02:58 Everyone else OK?
03:00 Sorry?
03:01 Everyone else OK?
03:02 Yeah.
03:03 The team now, the mood they are in, the form they are in at the moment,
03:07 and you compare it to title races you have had previously,
03:11 heading towards final days, that it could be this time as well, to decide the title.
03:16 Are they the same or do you see a different group now, a different mood amongst them?
03:20 The same.
03:21 We know we are playing for.
03:24 How difficult it is to be here already again.
03:29 We have something unique in front of us.
03:31 We have to do our best performance, give absolutely everything,
03:35 and I have doubts it's going to happen.
03:37 Try to read exactly the game we are going to play,
03:41 try to interpret it as best as possible and go.
03:44 You don't think they are more relaxed, more confident this time than they have been in the past,
03:48 because they have been here and done it before?
03:50 The right tension and the right focus has to be there.
03:55 You play these games at a time of relax, it's a big problem.
04:01 We need to demand the best.
04:03 Maybe they are going to play, it depends on today,
04:06 for the qualification for the Champions League,
04:08 they have a huge target for them.
04:11 At the same time, we have a huge target as well.
04:16 I know you have joked in the past about your record away at Tottenham.
04:20 Obviously you broke that record by winning the FA Cup this season,
04:24 but what has it been specifically about the games there that has been difficult for your team?
04:29 I appreciate it's different managers, different teams,
04:31 but have you seen any patterns across the time?
04:33 It has happened many times, we played really good many times,
04:36 but we were not able to score and win the games.
04:39 But the same, to do something like in this country,
04:42 no other team has done it, so you have to do something special,
04:45 exceptional I would say.
04:47 If it doesn't happen in the Premier League, never ever,
04:50 we have to do it this time.
04:52 The story is in front of us and we have to accept it.
04:55 We have not done it, it's the time to do it,
04:58 otherwise Arsenal will be champions.
05:01 Just following on from that, how does it affect the mindset going into a game like that,
05:06 when you've got history in the Premier League against a side like Spurs away from home?
05:10 No, the mindset is just what you have to do to win the game.
05:13 In that type of game, as much as you are focusing on the work and the process,
05:18 what you have to do is much better.
05:21 The other situations will not be in your mind.
05:25 It's what you have to do, because what we are playing for, everybody knows it.
05:31 Guardiola said you effectively have three Cup finals to play now,
05:35 to finish this season. How do you see it?
05:38 It's just one, to win the chance to play another one,
05:42 and the last one we won it one month against Chelsea ago.
05:47 It's just one, to have the chance to play the last one.
05:52 Did you watch Manchester United vs Arsenal yesterday?
05:55 Yes.
05:56 What did you think watching that game, and at the same time as well,
05:59 when you know it's definitely going to go down to the last game of the season,
06:02 the title race, what kind of feeling does that create within the group?
06:06 In the group?
06:08 In the group.
06:09 And for yourself as well?
06:11 No, I felt from what happened in the past, when we were playing the battle against Liverpool,
06:20 I said many times, "You win, we win, or we'll be over."
06:24 So I had the feeling that to beat Arsenal today is so difficult,
06:29 because they made very, very good things in all departments,
06:32 so it was so difficult to beat them.
06:35 So the moment we had weeks ago, the chance to depend on us,
06:40 we started to use it, and we have done it so far really well,
06:43 and we have the last chance away to give the chance at home.
06:47 Situations like this, why you are a manager these days?
06:52 Yeah, I like to be here, we like to be here,
06:58 but there are a lot of things that I enjoy, not just to be here.
07:03 You have to enjoy ten months before, and prepare the games,
07:07 imagine what you have to do, and find the correct energy inside of your body,
07:14 in your mind, for what happened in the past, in the present, maybe in the future,
07:19 to give the full energy to compete.
07:21 Hi, Pep. In the 14 complete seasons that you have as a manager,
07:28 you've won the league title 11 times.
07:31 Your average point in a season is 89, and you've never been lower than third.
07:37 Why is it that in this format, in this type of competition,
07:41 your teams are so dominant?
07:43 I don't know.
07:47 The hierarchy, the strong clubs, strong organisation, the wise, strong players.
07:52 And be humble enough that every single game you can lose,
07:57 and at the same time you can win, and prepare every game,
08:01 no matter what.
08:04 Consistency has been there, that is a reality.
08:07 Is it the key, knowing that every three days you have a final,
08:12 and three points, three points, why can you be that consistent?
08:16 I don't know.
08:18 Day one I tried to work in the same way, we work in the same way,
08:21 to prepare every game with incredible respect for the opponent,
08:24 and still hungry to work and work.
08:27 I push my players, my players push me, and go to the next.
08:35 Don't think for one second what we have done yesterday or last season,
08:40 it's ahead of us, we have this challenge.
08:43 We won the right to be here, during this month.
08:53 And very satisfied to leave it, knowing the difficulty is there.
08:57 I know that, I have a huge respect for Ancel and his team.
09:00 Since day one arrived, I know what was in the past,
09:03 and now how difficult it will be.
09:04 We know it.
09:05 The two here, we played really good but we could not beat them.
09:08 They make incredible process, they are so quick in the transitions,
09:12 and not transitions, and he attacks the channels, unbelievable.
09:16 And they are so intense in the high pressing,
09:20 they press the keeper, and he could press to them,
09:24 his father is behind the keeper, they will press him.
09:27 So they are so, so incredibly aggressive,
09:30 and during 90-95 minutes, and you have to be ready to read the game in the right moment.
09:34 Is it maybe that by controlling the ball you can try to control the game,
09:38 and by controlling the game you can try to control the league?
09:41 Yes, sometimes you play good and it helps to score goals,
09:45 sometimes you score goals when you don't deserve it,
09:47 and after they help you that goal to play good.
09:50 So sometimes you never know how is the path to win the games.
09:55 Many things in that level you have to control, not just one.
10:00 one.