My team is extraordinary, says bullish Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola
Manchester City host Wolves tomorrow
It has been a miserable week for Manchester City but Pep Guardiola came out fighting this lunchtime, describing his team as “extraordinary”.
City have suffered two sobering defeats in the past seven days, going down 2-0 at Manchester United in a derby mauling that could have been much more emphatic, before a surprisingly limp 3-1 setback at Bodo/Glimt in the Champions League.
They host rock-bottom Wolves tomorrow, providing a wonderful opportunity to get back on track and close within four points of leaders Arsenal ahead of their game with United on Sunday.
Asked about his expensively assembled squad today, Guardiola said: “I have an extraordinary team, an extraordinary group of players, and we are all together. We are a fantastic, fantastic football team. I don’t have any doubts about that.”
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No need to change the dynamic, says City boss Guardiola
When one reporter asked about “changing the dynamic” following the two defeats, Guardiola bristled, adding: “Maybe you were on holiday but one week ago we were in Newcastle and we won 2-0 at a team that are in the Champions League, how strong they are.
“And after one week it was a little bit of a surprise our behaviour in [Manchester] United, or maybe United was better.
“And my opinion against Bodo is just we missed in the boxes, the chances we had again, and the long balls and duels we were not aggressive enough, lost second balls because we are not specific players in that position.”
Guardiola said: “It’s one of the best group of captains that Manchester City have had since I have been here. Bernardo, Ruben, Rodri, Erling are extraordinary. Extraordinary. In many things, in many details, how they are close to the club, to the team, to do decisions for the best.”
New City signing Guehi will start against Wolves
City have continued to invest heavily in their squad with the results of an independent investigation into allegations of financial malpractice showing no signs of being revealed. City deny any wrongdoing.
The latest arrival was England international Marc Guehi for a cut-price £20million due to the defender having just six months left on his contract at Crystal Palace.
City’s defensive woes mean Guehi will go straight into the side tomorrow.
“He is going to help us because the experience of Marc is exceptional; he’s a player for the England national team, the captain for a team that won the FA Cup last season, and Oliver Glasner made an incredible season,” said Guardiola, who remains without Dias, John Stones and Josko Gvardiol.
Right-back Matheus Nunes is still battling the ‘flu while Nico Gonzalez won’t play due to injury.