Every Word: Pep Guardiola’s pre-RB Leipzig press conference

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has addressed the media on the eve of his side’s Champions League last-16 decider against RB Leipzig.

City will look to get the job done against the Saxony-based club at the Etihad Stadium this week, after a 1-1 draw was played out at the Red Bull Arena last month.

A special strike to give Manchester City the lead courtesy of Riyad Mahrez was cancelled out in the second-half by Josko Gvardiol, as the hosts dominated proceedings for large portions of the latter period of 45 minutes.

Since then, City have played out a solid run of form, maintaining their place in the pursuit of a fifth Premier League title in five years, and putting themselves within touching distance of a place in the FA Cup semi-finals at Wembley.

Ahead of Tuesday night’s showdown with the Bundesliga side, Pep Guardiola has been speaking to the media on a number of topics including the importance of the Champions League, Kevin De Bruyne’s form, and representing England in the competition.

Here is every word from the boss at the City Football Academy on Monday afternoon!

---

On Premier League clubs competing in Europe – more pressure?

“Chelsea went through. We’ll see what happens with Liverpool. I’m not thinking about the pressure of defending the UK. Every team in the past goes two, three, four teams in the quarter finals from the same country, and everyone says it’s the best league. This league is good, like in Spain, Germany, Italy. This competition, like the FA Cup, one game, two games, many things are involved. Things you can’t control. I’m not a fan to make theories that the result depends who you are.”

On whether the Champions League is still a special competition

“Absolutely, it is a lovely competition, so nice. Playing teams from another part of Europe. It’s the same teams, stadiums in England. It’s so nice to be there in Europe, showing our club all around Europe. I like it.”

On focussing on RB Leipzig as well as Manchester City

“It’s the same with many theories about this club. We cannot control it. It’s nice at the start of the season that we are the main candidates, the main favourites in this competition. Something we’ve done in the past, otherwise they don’t consider it. The reality is 95 minutes on the pitch. Leipzig, after the draw, even before the first leg, they are a really good team. Any team in England, Napoli, Milan, Madrid, they are too. A lot of qualities, many strengths. We have to impose our game, we have to win the game. It’s easy, it’s not about how many goals to score. Just win the game.”

On the importance of staying in three competitions

“Really important. Not just for a better international break, for the fact to be alive in the last two months of the season. As much to extend being alive, in the Premier League and Europe, to be close to Arsenal, it will be good.”

On the drive to win trophies

“That is why we’re here. I didn’t know any team or manager that didn’t try to win a competition. Everyone wants it to win it. I’m not an exception.”

On the difficulty of resetting after missing chances

“A lot. Barcelona was many, Bayern (Munich) a lot. Otherwise, we don’t win titles. The mentality to score goals, a holding midfielder or defender, after making a mistake it doesn’t matter, a good action in the next one. A keeper concedes a goal, you don’t have a lot of them, you don’t have a chance. The biggest factor for a team for 95 minutes. You will suffer, how you behave in those moments is key.”

On Erling Haaland improving his all-round game

“It’s important. I don’t like one player just to score goals in the box. It’s important, we need it of him. But away from the opponents’ box and he cannot score a goal, we need him to be active. We have to take a look at him, and he has to be involved. He has improved, but he can be better.”

On Kevin De Bruyne’s form and his season

“A difficult season for all of us, me included. The World Cup, many things. I’m not going to score for Kevin, it’s his ability. I’d like him to go to the principles. He as incredible ability to score and passes. Always I believe they will increase with simple things, don’t lose the balls. Simple things, do it again, get better. When this happens, the rest will come. Like Erling, he will score and be involved, it means you are inside of the game. Kevin is the same, the simple things perfectly, move outside inside, attack the channels. The actions to create incredible passes will be easier.”

On last season’s contest with RB Leipzig at the Etihad Stadium

“I don’t pay any attention to last season. In the first half (of this season’s first-leg) we were better, in the second half they were better. We tried to figure out what to do, adjust a few things for more control and play a bit better.”

On whether the match against RB Leipzig is again about control

“Always I believe the transition games is going. Goes in your favour or not. Knock-out game, maybe we need more. The game will dictate what we do.”

On whether the Champions League will define his Manchester City success

“Yes (in the public’s opinion). That doesn’t mean I agree, but absolutely, we’ll be judged for that competition. My first Champions League game here, they say are you here to win the Champions League? If I was manager for Real Madrid I understand, but as much as we go through won’t change it.”

On RB Leipzig’s injuries

“They are so aggressive in their high pressing, have an incredible build-up, use the keeper. Eight players inside, two incredible wide full-backs. You close inside, they go to their full-backs. When you defend outside, they have more players inside. It’s so difficult to control. Have to be in the right tempo for pressing. (Christopher) Nkunku is exceptional, they live lots without him. I hope for a speedy recovery. Try to find our spaces and places, our quality to punish them. Hopefully defend because we are better. We have to win the game, and to win we have to try. Will be a good game, they have a fantastic team. At (Bayern) Munich, they were in the second division, since then, they do incredible. I’m a big fan of what they do.”