Pep Guardiola: Manchester City are showing why they are a 'special' team.
Manchester City’s boss Pep Guardiola has been thoroughly impressed by his players commitment so early in the season. After the draining end of the treble-winning 2022-2023 campaign, there were fears City could be off the pace come the start of the new term.
Any drops in energy levels, however, seems to have more than compensated for by a strong desire and focus, even after the loss of key players. On Saturday, City followed up their European Super Cup triumph over Sevilla in Athens three days previously by beating Newcastle to maintain their winning start in the Premier League.
"We are who we are," said Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola. "(There are) a lot of young players on the bench and that's the difference - the guys who want to be here are here. The difference is always here (heart) - at the top of our bodies.
The people respond because they see still we are there and I like it. We won already one title and we are six points from six we have scored goals we do not concede many chances. When you see that after what we have done, what can you say? Apart from thank you my friends, I love you so much.
When you have that it is because a team is so special. Otherwise we can not do what we have done for so many years, it is impossible. Saturday amazed me and made me very happy. Switching to the BBC, Pep continued to pour praise on his tired players.
He said: "There are no words to express my gratitude for the performance we gave. It was really, really good. It is the second game, but after what we done in the last season, we are still there. We spoke about mentality. The reason we won was about our mentality and we proved it again."
While Guardiola had been complimenting his whole team, he singled out England midfielder Phil Foden for special praise.
He said: "Phil is a reality as a player. He can play many positions. He is a real threat. I am really pleased. The way he behaves with everyone. The mentality is always there. That is the most important thing."
While Guardiola didn't have a negative word to say after a complete performance from his team, his opposite number was more critical.
City have lost an influential playmaker Kevin De Bruyne to an injury that could sideline him for up to five months while John Stones and Bernado Silva were also absent for the weekend. With Ilkay Gundogan and Riyad Mahrez having left over the summer, and Aymeric Laporte another possible departure, Pep Guardiola's squad is taking on a different shape.
Pep Guardiola said, "over the next one or two months the club have to take some important decisions with theWhile Guardiola didn't have a negative word to say after a complete performance from his team, his opposite number was more critical. squad. We did not expect (the situation) with Kevin De Bruyne and we did not expect with Riyad Mahrez."
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