Every Word: Pep Guardiola’s pre-Bristol City press conference

Manchester City travel south once again this week as they take on Championship outfit Bristol City in the FA Cup fifth round this week.

City have had a tough journey to this stage of the competition, having beaten Chelsea and Arsenal in the third and fourth round respectively, with a place in the quarter-finals of the Cup next up for grabs.

Continuation in the FA Cup comes alongside Manchester City’s pursuit of the Premier League and Champions League, with Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal providing stern competition for the top-flight crown, while RB Leipzig travel to the Etihad Stadium in the coming weeks for the second-leg of a last-16 match-up.

Ahead of the trip to Ashton Gate this week, Pep Guardiola has faced the media on a number of topics, including Kalvin Phillips, the fitness of Kevin De Bruyne, and City’s current performance levels.

Here is every word from Pep Guardiola’s pre-match press conference at the City Football Academy on Monday afternoon!

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Manchester City’s current performance levels

“Exceptional. Well, after Nottingham, we were not consistent but now we are consistent because we won one game. Our game we are playing is good, the results could be better in terms of winning against Spurs and Nottingham, but it is football, sometimes that happens.

“Of course it is not exceptional, it is okay, it is good. No complaints for the way we are playing and fighting. After the last game, I said the mood is exceptional and the guys are doing everything – that is enough for me.

“We are playing in three competitions, tomorrow and the Champions League is another chance. When you miss, when you lose in terms of the Premier League, we are closing right to the last 10 games of the season and that will define.

“I have the feeling in the Premier League many things are going to happen, everyone is going to drop points but we cannot drop any, we want to fight until the end.”

An opportunity for Kalvin Phillips this week?

“Rodri is so important for us and is playing really well. Kalvin is adapting, adjusting a little bit – some players need a little more time. We had the feeling that he needs (to learn) a little bit more our rhythm.

“It was so important for him to play the minutes he played in the last game (against Bournemouth). We will see tomorrow and of course we need him until the end of the season because there are many games, but Rodri is so important right now.”

Manchester City’s fitness latest

Kevin De Bruyne’s continuing illness concerns admitted by Pep Guardiola ahead of Bristol City clash

The challenge posed by Bristol City

“In the last 12 games, no defeats – that says they are a good team. (Nigel) Pearson did well at Leicester and Watford. It is a final. A serious team will play tomorrow… From my experience in this competition away from home against a Championship team, it is tough. That is why we are flying there tomorrow. We will do what we have to do.”

The performances of Arsenal recently

“We play a lot of games, we played two days ago, and did not get much time to watch Bristol. I will try tonight to watch them. This is why I do not have time to watch Arsenal.”

Julian Alvarez

“When he plays behind (Erling) Haaland, he is so quick. For the first goal (against Bournemouth), he moved in the right pocket. He is always there. We need an extra man in the box, it helps Erling to score more.”