Manchester City’s Guardiola wary of Huddersfield’s appetite for upsets
MANCHESTER: Manchester City will not let complacency derail their Premier League title bid when they visit promoted Huddersfield Town on Sunday, manager Pep Guardiola said.
City’s rivals Manchester United suffered a shock 2-1 defeat at the John Smith’s Stadium last month, which led United manager Jose Mourinho to say that David Wagner’s team “wanted it more”.
Guardiola said league leaders City, who are unbeaten after 12 league matches, must match Huddersfield’s desire and he is wary of the threat they pose after being held to a frustrating goalless draw by Wagner’s side in the FA Cup last season.
“Complacency will not happen,” Guardiola told reporters on Friday.
“We played last season against them, we were not able to win there in the FA Cup and it’s complicated there.
“What Wagner has done speaks for itself, in the Championship, the Premier League and since. The result against United was a good signal but not just that one.
“They are well-organised, intense, when they defend (they are) so well organised, and with quality. Like every game away it will be tough.”
Guardiola praised wide forward Raheem Sterling, who has already equalled his best ever goal tally for a campaign with 11 in 17 appearances this season — one more than City strikers Gabriel Jesus and Sergio Aguero.
Sterling, whose finishing has often been criticised in the past, scored the winner in Tuesday’s 1-0 victory over Feyenoord in the Champions League. — Reuters