City’s mental fortitude key in title charge – Pep
Pep Guardiola has hailed the mentality and professionalism of his Manchester City players after taking a seemingly vice-like grip on the title race.
The City manager is impressed by how his team have dealt with adversity on and off the pitch to maintain their charge towards a fourth Premier League success in five years. In making his point, Guardiola cited the example of Joao Cancelo, who suffered facial injuries in an attack a this home last month.
Cancelo has started all three of City’s games since, helping them come through a tough period in which they have been badly hit by a Covid-19 outbreak.
After Saturday’s hardfought 1-0 victory over Chelsea, City are now sitting pretty at the top of the table having won their last 12 league games.
Guardiol as aid :“We believe in what we do. It doesn’ t matter what happens, we go and we go.
“In this season there are personal problems for the players. They are human beings, they have families, there are problems sometimes.
“For example Joao – he had an incredible episode a couple of weeks ago with the family at home. How should you react in that situation?
“The way here acted was exceptional. He said he wanted to play against Arsenal, in the cup( against Swindon) and play Saturday. There are highs and lows for players and you have to handle the situation. Sometimesmaybe Kevin( DeBruy ne) has personal problems and I have personal problems as well, but when they are there they try to do the best.
“The biggest achievement is they try to do everything and be the best. Otherwise, in this league, you cannot win 12 games in a row. It’s impossible.”