Every Word: Pep Guardiola’s pre-Chelsea press conference

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has addressed the media ahead of his side’s potential crowning moment on Sunday afternoon.

City will look to win their third consecutive Premier League title by defeating Chelsea on the weekend, successfully overcoming the threat and pursuit of Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal in the race for the English top-flight crown.

Last time out, Manchester City booked their place in their second ever Champions League final, demolishing European giants Real Madrid 4-0 at the Etihad Stadium, taking the aggregate scoreline to 5-1 across the two-legs.

Manchester City now know that they are just three wins away from winning a historic treble of silverware this season, with Sunday afternoon’s tie against Chelsea accompanying an FA Cup final against Manchester United and a Champions League final against Inter next month.

The prospect of winning yet another Premier League title, expectations set for himself, and adapting and changing his tactics over the years were among the talking points raised during Pep Guardiola’s address to the media on Friday afternoon.

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

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On Wednesday night’s Champions League semi-final victory

“Calmed down? It’s non stop. Of course we are satisfied to play in the Champions League final. It’s non-stop. Now is coming the most difficult thing. Tennis players say that to serve to win Wimbledon is the most difficult one. On Sunday, the game is in our hands to win the most important competition. It’s 10/11 months, (working) every week. We’re lucky to have the chance to finish at home with our people. We have to take it.”

On games to win the Premier League

“I have good memories. When we play (Manchester) United, 2-0 up at half-time and we lose the game. Aston Villa, 20 minutes from losing the game. Emotions are many things. We cannot be distracted. We will not forgive ourselves. Focus on every single game until the end of the season to finish well.”

On being decisive in the big moments

“We have done it many times, we cannot deny, Champions League semi-final, the best team in this competitions. They (the Manchester City squad) have done 11 semi-finals in 13 years. To do it against them gives us confidence and credit. We have done it against Arsenal, Liverpool, (Manchester) United, the big teams at home. We feel we are strong, confident with our people.”

On winning another Premier League title

“As a manager, I feel part of something. Not confused, I never think it belongs to me. I’m part of that, we cannot deny. Without the incredible decisions of the sporting director, the board, the players are the most important thing. Being close to winning it again, having it in our hands, after last weekend, I’m really pleased. I’m not the only person when we lose semi-finals or finals, I’m not only responsible.”  

“We cannot deny the titles against Liverpool were easier. Not at all. The top six were closer. Newcastle are one game away from the Champions League, I saw them against Brighton, to see how good they played. Newcastle deserve to be there. There are more people, I cannot say this one was more difficult or easier. Always so difficult.”

“After seeing Arsenal in the first-leg (of the season), no. Hopefully we arrive against Arsenal at home to beat them and be close to the top. They won, lost to Brighton, we are 11 games winning, winning. It helps us to be there. At the end, people felt with two months left, three months left if we don’t win we cannot fight for the Premier League. That gives us the best of us.”

On his reactions towards Kevin De Bruyne and Jack Grealish on Wednesday night

“The action with Kevin, I love it, we shout each other. I like it. Sometimes it’s a little bit flat, I like this energy. It’s not the first time. You don’t see, but he shouts at me in training. This is what we need. After that he becomes the best. (Ilkay) Gundo lost the ball, Kevin too, we didn’t need that in the game.

“At half-time spoke about controlling the game, drop them, and turn them. We didn’t do it. Kevin stays calm and makes an incredible assist. Jack did the opposite; he could run but helps the team and joins the passes. It’s football, we can do it. These things must happen to be competitive.”

On Manchester City’s mentality

“They show many times. We talk about mentality because we won. I don’t believe I defend the team when we lose. Last year we didn’t have a mentality against Madrid, we have the same mentality. To recover eight points, Arsenal in first, but we have a game in hand – it was fake. We knew we had to win the game and they drop. If Arsenal maintain the rhythm of the first leg (of the season), it wouldn’t be possible (to recover and win the Premier League). They drop points and we were there. It means a lot to us.”

On his tactics this season

“Sometimes the team depends on the opponents and the problems they create. You cannot play seven years in the same way. Because one, you have different players, we used to have a false nine, now we play with Erling (Haaland). And two, defenders don’t play the same way because they know you, they discover secrets. They do a counter-attack system. You have to create another one.

“Now Liverpool play with Alexander-Arnold inside, he played all the time outside, now inside. Opponents found a solution to them attacking, now they find a solution. Maybe opponents find a solution to him inside. I’d love to say we played the same way all the time, but it didn’t happen. Not the same players, not because it’s something new, you have to realise for opponents.”

On whether he believes he receives the credit he deserves

“Yes. Absolutely. People know how difficult it is. Opponents, managers know. To win the Premier League, we are close, it’s not done. They know it.”

On delivering in England

“I love myself a lot, I never thought. I love myself a lot, I think we do a good job, but expectations. I arrive with no expectations, do whatever you want. I could not imagine, with players and people here, to do what we have done in the Premier League. I realise after five, six, seven games in the Premier League, how tough that it. Learn quickly, players and teams. Every day was a little better, try to arrive a little better. Do better than yesterday, the players feel it and we can achieve it.

“You never think the start of the season how it’s going to be. Now we know, three games away to win all the titles. How we prepare and arrive as best as possible to these games. Every game we win helps for the next one. Winning the Premier League as quick as possible helps the next games, the FA Cup and Champions League. I want to see the team still focussed. The biggest compliments when you win, disaster when you lose. We cannot forget the reality.

“The reality is United, Aston Villa. Chelsea didn’t do the season they could imagine but it’s Chelsea. The players are there, I’m not confused with the table. Perform like the last weeks, we will be there. Can celebrate something unique, at home not away. Football is emotions, if we can do it at home we have to do it.”

On whether he will be watching Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal

“I don’t think. Maybe we do a breakfast. I don’t think so because we have a game the day after. Chelsea deserve it. In my mind, I’d like to feel we have to win to be champions and that’s what we need to think, we can not control Nottingham Forest. It does not matter what happens in Nottingham we have do our job, win our game.

“I don’t have it (a bottle of champagne in the fridge ready for Saturday), because three days later we have Brighton and Brighton can be a big thing if you’re not yourself. We have time at the end of the season to celebrate. Tomorrow we can win, celebrate in the stadium with our people. Don’t have time with the team.”