📣 Guardiola on managing during the pandemic, De Bruyne and Leipzig | OneFootball

Pep Guardiola has been speaking to the media ahead of Manchester City’s Champions League clash with RB Leipzig on Tuesday.

Here are the best bits of what he had to say.

On facing Leipzig behind closed doors

“The concern in Germany is the situation isn’t good.

“We have to learn the rest of the world, like the Prime Minister says, masks and distance. We would love to play with the people. Authorities in Germany decide we play behind closed doors.”

On Kevin De Bruyne’s fitness

“Kevin had the corona, was growing and after had the setback.

“It’s normal, the people who have the corona feel empty. Step by step he plays minutes, tomorrow he will start and we’ll see how many minutes.”

On football during the pandemic

“We aren’t exempt from society.

“We walk the streets, go to restaurants, live a normal life.

“The situation in the last year and a half, lots of people die around the world. It’s getting better, people don’t die after getting the vaccine which is the most important thing.

“In Europe some places cases go up, the new variant, the authorities say wear a mask indoors.

“We have to adapt. We do the PCRs, we be careful. We have to still be ready.

“I’m not a doctor or scientist.

“What I read about the situation, people say Covid will remain forever like the flu and another situation when you take a vaccine. Just adapt and make a normal life as much as possible.”

On being professional going into the final game

“All the guys who play tomorrow want to win. Respect for the competition.

“Every game is a good opportunity to improve. Many things we can do better.

“The players will know it. Tomorrow is another one for the things to do well we’ve practiced, to make more natural. It’s an incredible opportunity in the Champions League.

“I don’t approach the game thinking what they think. We will try to win the game. It’s prestigious for Man City.”

On giving youngsters a chance against Leipzig

“The first team is important.

“It’s an incredible experience in Europe, maybe tomorrow some can play minutes. We have five substitutions and maybe we can use them.

“They travel with us, tomorrow we decide (if they play).

“(On McAtee and Palmer) They are 18, 19. You have everything ahead of you. The potential they have, they are fantastic young players. They need to settle perfectly how we behave. The potential is there.”