No Ilkay , we weren’t timid.. we were strong and stable
PEP DOES A THERESA MAY AS HE DENIES GUNDOGAN’S CLAIM THAT CITY WEREN’T BRAVE ENOUGH AGAINST SPURS
PEP GUARDIOLA has dismissed Ilkay Gundogan’s claim Manchester City did not show enough bravery in their Champions League defeat to Tottenham.
Gundogan gave a blunt appraisal of City’s display in the 1-0 first-leg away defeat on Tuesday, claiming Guardiola’s players were too nervous and did not show enough courage.
But Guardiola hit back at the midfielder’s claim ahead of City’s trip to Crystal Palace tomorrow and insisted his game-plan against Spurs worked – despite the defeat.
“I don’t agree with him,” said Guardiola. Absolutely not. There are games when we concede a goal and we’re not there.
“But in this case we conceded a goal and nothing happened – especially in the second half, it was under control.
“We didn’t concede many shots on target and we were there many times, even if we didn’t create too much.
“Sergio Aguero was strong and the team was stable, except for one duel from Nico Otamendi in the corner and after Harry Kane had a shot on target.
“We defended the set-pieces when they are so strong and after when we conceded a goal there were 10 minutes left and nothing happened.
“I like when the players express what they believe, but it’s happened many times in my career in specific games, when they lost a little control.
“In three minutes we lost the competition in the Nou Camp in the semi-finals.
“Regarding this specific game, it did not happen. We were stable. We had two days’ rest, they had six.
“They can punish us, so we decided to play a different type of game. We did it with lower tempo and we didn’t want to concede counter-attacks.
“Unfortunately we couldn’t score, but we have the second leg with our fans at home.”
City host Tottenham in the return leg on Wednesday, but Guardiola’s immediate concern is the trip to Palace, who beat them 3-2 at the Etihad in December.
He has identified the trip to Selhurst Park as one of the trickiest games in City’s run-in with title rivals Liverpool.
“We knew it weeks ago, how crucial it would be, between these important games,” said Guardiola.
“Selhurst Park is always very difficult. There are six games left, we know what we are playing for.” ROY HODGSON claims Manchester City are on a par with any of the great Manchester United and Liverpool teams of the past.
Hodgson’s Crystal Palace take on the champions in a massive game in the title race.
Pep Guardiola’s men haven’t quite hit the heights they did during their record-breaking season last year, but Hodgson reckons they compare with anything that has gone before.
He said: “Comparisons are dangerous. Every era has its teams and players and you