Guardiola on Haaland return as City push for second with trip to relegated Southampton
09/05/2025
CGA, Manchester, UK
09/05/2025
CGA, Manchester, UK
Category
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00:00Afternoon, Pep.
00:02On paper, everyone's going to say Southampton, three points to Manchester City.
00:08So what stops you winning tomorrow?
00:12We start 0-0.
00:14It's a massive, important game for us.
00:16Definitely it is.
00:17It's just three games left, and after that game it's two.
00:23A huge respect for them.
00:24Do you feel your side is in the best form it's been in this season right now?
00:33It's the best results we got in a row.
00:36We didn't have that season.
00:38I don't know in the beginning of the season we did it,
00:40but we have for a long time.
00:42In terms of that, we can do better.
00:45One more for me, just on Mateo Kovacic.
00:47You spoke to him earlier this week.
00:49How much do you think he's progressed as a midfielder this season in your team?
00:53He's been really good.
00:54I think playing close to another player like Bernardo or Gundo or Nico
00:59is playing at a really good level.
01:03Hello, Pep.
01:04Can I do a quick player update with you, please?
01:08Just wondering if Erling is perhaps ready to start?
01:11He's ready.
01:12Yeah, he's ready.
01:13He's fit.
01:14Start, we'll decide tomorrow.
01:15Have you had a call from the doctors about Rodri yet, about whether he can...
01:19Still is not available.
01:20And how good is the news about Oscar and Nathan back in training?
01:24Still are not available.
01:25Started training with us, partial, but still are not available.
01:28A win against Southampton, as you'll know, would put you level on points with Arsenal,
01:34but I think there's nine goal difference, and it's very similar with Newcastle and Chelsea,
01:39your goal difference as well.
01:40So with that in mind and the number of goals that Southampton have conceded this season,
01:45does that come into your thinking there?
01:47No, no, no, no, no, no, no.
01:51Huge respect for Southampton.
01:53If we take a look at Arsenal to help us in that view to qualify for the Champions League,
01:58it's fine.
02:00But the target, when you are not a champion, is qualify for the next Champions League season.
02:06And just finally, Erling said in an interview this week that the players haven't had fully
02:12the hunger inside of us.
02:14So I was wondering how you feel about that, and do you feel it is back now,
02:19just in time for the crescendo?
02:24If it's a feeling for Erling, they should talk each other, the players, and ask themselves why.
02:32But do you feel it's back, or if it ever was missing?
02:36We can do better, and we are happy for the results we have.
02:40But the situation back is when it's sustained for many, many months.
02:44It just was three, four weeks.
02:47I know you're in match mode, getting ready for tomorrow's game,
02:50but in the last hour we've heard that Xabi Alonso is leaving Bayern Leverkusen.
02:55I just want to know your thoughts on his coaching journey,
02:58because obviously he's someone you've known for so long.
03:00Wow, the impact that Leverkusen has done has been unbelievable.
03:05I think all the managers who had the opportunity and the pleasure to have him as a player,
03:10always will realize that he will be a manager.
03:14And, you know, going to Germany and fight face-to-face against Bayern Munich,
03:18that always is so difficult.
03:20And last season wasn't beaten, except the last game against Atalanta in the Europa League final.
03:24And the way they play, the way they improve the players.
03:27So, I think Leverkusen himself has to be so proud of this partnership
03:33that they had for just two or three years.
03:38I know obviously you've been talking a lot about making sure that you finish
03:41in the top five in the Champions League places,
03:43but there is a possibility that you could finish second
03:45and be FA Cup winners by the end of the season.
03:48Would that mark a good season?
03:49I'm not thinking about that.
03:51I'm sorry to tell you.
03:52It's just for Fenton in my mind.
03:54And all week I'm thinking about them.
03:58A lot of hours in my mind during the day.
04:00It's only I'm concerned.
04:02The rest, the analysis, at the end of the season, we will do it.
04:05Are you expecting twists in this next three games then?
04:09Between, you know, because it could be quite tight between,
04:13obviously, so many teams up there.
04:14Quite, sorry?
04:15Quite tight between so many teams up there.
04:16Are you expecting any sort of twists in it for it to be difficult?
04:19I think there are six, seven teams that can qualify.
04:22So, you have to make a lot of points.
04:25And after, we will, if we make three victories, we will be there.
04:30So, it's in our hands.
04:31We don't need to wait anything else.
04:34So, this is what you have to do.
04:35Win one game, the next one, and the next one.
04:38Hi, Pep.
04:41Just on the speculation about where Kevin might be playing next season,
04:46there have been some suggestions he could even be playing for another Premier League club next season.
04:50I don't know.
04:51Would it bother you if he did play for one of your rivals at all?
04:53I want the best from Kevin, from his family.
04:56The best.
05:00Hi, Pep.
05:02Just a couple on Nico O'Reilly.
05:04You took him off against Wolves in the last game.
05:06Was that just about looking after him?
05:09And what's it been like generally in the group?
05:12He played a lot of minutes.
05:14There are games where players that play outstanding enough that he didn't play.
05:17Players that play not really good and play the next game.
05:19There's not a reason.
05:20And there's no punishment here.
05:22So, again, the performance and many, many things.
05:25And the reason why.
05:27So, when the game is done, it's what an ally is, what can do better.
05:31But it's completely forgotten.
05:33So, it's the past.
05:34It's what you can learn, the game we play, to the next one.
05:38Especially in the young players that make a regular, regular impact in the team.
05:44Are you happy with how he has stepped up?
05:46Absolutely.
05:47The results we had without him will be difficult to imagine.
05:52And with Manuel Kanji now available,
05:54have you had any thoughts about possibly moving Niko into midfield?
05:58Yeah.
05:59Can play there.
06:00Definitely.
06:01Yeah.
06:01Definitely.
06:02Tomorrow.
06:04You will see.
06:07Okay.
06:08Set the embargo for Santos this evening.
06:10Someone to start, please.
06:12Oh, in the middle.