CITY ADD ANOTHER DIMENSION TO FIGHT OFF BULLIES
PEP GUARDIOLA knew what was coming long before kick-off. Perched on a seat in the opposition dugout, he was drawn to the shouting and hand-slapping that was aiming to create a fire. Everton, he could see, were pumped up and ready. In those early minutes of this FA Cup quarter-final, their approach was exactly what he anticipated. Mason Holgate hurled in long throws, hulking figures in royal blue crowded around his goalkeeper Zack Steffen, trying to intimidate. There was nothing overzealous about Everton’s approach, they were well within their rights to try to unsettle City. The problem was, though, they never did. Everton wanted to fluster City but, in their attempts to do so, they forgot about trying to play football. While they expended energy, City glided around as graceful as swans. Guardiola’s men danced around the ring and waited for the opening. Once it arrived, that was it: bang, bang. Two goals. Game over. There used to be a suspicion that City would fold under pressure but not any more. This team will not be bullied. ‘You need this characteristic,’ explained Guardiola. ‘Adapt, adjust and play the games you need to play. ‘I saw the warm- up, I was sitting five metres away and saw how they shouted every action. I saw how they communicated, high five every time. They were ready. It was a game like we expected to play. Intensity. We knew it. ‘You have to handle this and this is the game we are going to play in the semifinal of the FA Cup, against Dortmund, the (Carabao Cup) final against Tottenham. ‘This is going to happen. If you cannot maintain that level, they bite you and you don’t win. There will be more games like this than other ones.’ Guardiola said he will use the first week of the break to recharge and clear his mind, ahead of the months that could see his team rewrite the history books. It is City’s durability, however, that gives them this outstanding opportunity to make history. From the last international
break in November to where we are now, City have played 34 matches in 119 days. They have won 29 times. Everton’s Carlo Ancelotti called City ‘the best team in the world’ and it seems they can do everything. ‘The opponents know we are going to press and not let them breathe,’ said Guardiola. ‘But in terms of control, we didn’t concede much. This game must be played the way we play it. Don’t make mistakes and the moment will come. Every game is closer to winning titles but still there are many, many games.’