Guardiola’s men arrive in Abu Dhabi
abu dhabi — Manchester City, closing on the Premier League title after three points from victory over Stoke City on Monday, arrived in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday for a warm weather training camp.
“Now we have three weeks off, we go to Abu Dhabi and will come back strong,” Pep Guardiola was quoted by Reuters before the team left for the airport after the Stoke game. “It is a tough winter for everybody so we are off straight away and we look forward to the weather,” said Guardiola, noting the forecast for Manchester next week of rain.
“We are going to be together and make three training sessions in five days,” he told media after the win over Stoke.
“We are going to have lunch together, dinner, some people are playing golf. But the weather conditions are better than here — the forecast in Manchester is rain, rain, rain,” he added. Guardiola’s side went 16 points clear at the top of the Premier League table after David Silva’s brace in Staffordshire further consolidated their position at the top.
With a gap in the schedule now until the trip to Everton on March 31, the Blues are using the time to refocus in sunnier climes.
Meanwhile, referring City’s Champions League quarterfinals and the clash with Manchester
We are going to be together and make three training sessions in five days Pep Guardiola United early next month. Gaurdiuola said: “We want to be (Premier League) champions... but, believe me, before and after United we have (the Champions League) quarterfinals and at that moment it is the most important thing, focusing on the quarterfinals.”
“I understand for the fans, OK, but the important thing is to be champions. When, where, it doesn’t matter,” he said referring to their impending English league title success.
Skipper Vincent Kompany, who won the Premier League with City in 2012 and 2014, certainly understands the emotion that would be generated by winning the title by beating United.
“Everybody on the ‘Blue’ side of Manchester knows it would be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” he said. “We have one more game before United and then we’ll see. (But) steady, it won’t be handed to us.
“It’s that time of year - every single win brings you one step closer to your goal,” he added.
“To be champions is tough, it’s complicated. Our club does not have a history of a lot of titles. As soon as possible will be better but now we can be relaxed, the players go away with their international teams. It doesn’t matter where we win it”.