Pep will not ease foot off pedal
PEP GUARDIOLA may not have a complete command of the English language but the word “prioritising” has certainly not entered his vocabulary.
Middlesbrough? Monaco? FA Cup or Champions League? The Spaniard wants to win them all.
Manchester City are two days away from their biggest game of the season so far but reaching the last eight of Europe’s premier competition is unlikely to give their manager any more pleasure than this routine victory.
“Except for the second year at Barcelona when we went out in the last 16, I have always arrived in semi-finals or finals,” he said. “In Germany and in Spain and now I am delighted to be in a semi-final here.
“Every game you play, you have to win. That is what I want to introduce to my players and this club.”
On this evidence, the message is getting through loud and clear.
Forget Monte Carlo or bust. City’s teamsheet and the manner in which they swept aside an outclassed Boro gave the impression the FA Cup was the be-all and end-all.
It helped of course that Aitor Karanka’s side sat so deep early on that David Silva fired City ahead after two minutes before most home players had touched the ball.
That they had to wait until the second half for Sergio Aguero’s decisive second was down to some inspired goalkeeping from Brad Guzan.
Boro can now concentrate on survival and midfielder Adam Clayton believes the togetherness within the camp can see them through.
“We’re in a bit of a hole but I can’t tell you how much we are trying to turn it round,” he said. “We’re doing everything we can.”