Every Word: Pep Guardiola’s pre-Fulham press conference | OneFootball

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has addressed the media ahead of the weekend’s Premier League visit to Fulham on Sunday afternoon.

City now have the opportunity to go top of the Premier League table this weekend with a win over Marco Silva’s side, albeit perhaps only temporarily with title challengers Arsenal not playing until Tuesday night.

Last time out, Manchester City took the ultimate advantage of a contest against Mikel Arteta’s squad, crushing their closest Premier League trophy rivals courtesy of a 4-1 scoreline and a sensational individual performance from Kevin De Bruyne.

That victory moved the reigning Champions to within just two points of Arsenal at the top of the division, with two games in hand on the only team above them in the league table.

City also have a Champions League semi-final clash coming up next month, where they will face European experts Real Madrid at the last-four stage of the continent’s premier club competition once again.

Nathan Ake’s recovery towards full fitness, Manchester City’s post-Arsenal mood, and Real Madrid were among the talking points raised during Pep Guardiola’s address to the media on Friday afternoon.

Here is every word from the boss while speaking at the City Football Academy!

On the mood at Manchester City after Arsenal

“We did nothing special, normal as usual. We had a recovery session and today we had a day off. We’re confident for the Fulham game. They have been together a few years. This is the confidence we have to have. A lot of games is normal in this period. Of course, winning games helps to be ready. On Sunday, we have another opportunity.”

On Fulham

“They’re exceptional. (Aleksandar) Mitrovic is not available, who’s been incredible for them. You have to be aggressive and attack as much as possible.”

On Manchester City’s games since Bayern Munich

“We didn’t pass the ball against Bayern Munich. We attacked quick, but before that we have to pass the ball quick. Bayern Munich, you have to move them a little more. After this process, we can be quick and faster.”

On the fitness of Nathan Ake

“He’s much better. The player knows his body and the reaction. He’s still not training in the team. I think it won’t be long, but maybe tomorrow comes and the trainer says he’s not training, but I think not.”

On Kevin De Bruyne this season

“He’s the same player from a month ago, if he plays or doesn’t. You cannot demand every single player of 10 years, with a game every three days, to be all the time on the up. Sometimes you have to see it and say, ‘Ok, let him refresh his mind’. His standards are so high.”

On the Premier League title race

“It’s not over. It’ll be over when it’s over.”

“We still have seven games (to play). We have to do our game. I know what happened when we won at the Emirates. Then we drew at Nottingham Forest.”

“Now we go to Fulham against an incredible team. We’re taking nothing for granted. We’re happy for the last game and the performance but that is all. I know it’s not 20 games left, it’s seven, but seven games are seven games. Especially considering we have Champions League games and so on.”

“Don’t misunderstand me, even if we were in the same position 10 points behind – I trust my players. The players are the same, you have to seduce them every single day to make sure it works. Losing is part of the competition. We are there to try and (win the title). The feeling is good, but we have to prove it again.”

On Real Madrid

“No (I have not planned yet for Madrid). I have an idea more or less, but specifically, if they changed from last season. Normally I’m concerned with the next game.”

“We don’t have time to prioritise anything. To be (Premier League) champion again is the similar level as Champions League. It’s every week against everyone. My attention is Fulham, then West Ham, then Leeds. Then after, we prepare for Madrid.”

On players stepping up into leadership roles

“Yeah of course (others have stepped up as leaders since the departure of Fernandinho). (Ilkay) Gundo, Kyle (Walker), Scott Carson, Ruben (Dias), Rodri…”

“Normally (we talk) about the game itself. Sometimes some specific actions but always for the benefit to get better. What I don’t like is when a club is flat. Good or bad, no matter, that is the worst. After winning in the past, the club has to be a charisma team, show passion, love. This is the key point.”

On keeping on winning matches

“We have some margin. We have seven games, but they (Arsenal) have five. It is really close. The performance against Nottingham Forest (after the win at the Emirates over Arsenal) was one of the best. Travelling up from London, the late night… The team played incredible but we dropped points.”

On needing one point to qualify for next season’s Champions League

“Yes (I’ve got the champagne ready). Ask Arsenal (what it means to be in the Champions League) after an absence. It is a success, absolutely.”

On giving his players motivation

“I don’t give motivational speeches. It’s what I feel about the game we’re going to play. Sometimes the boys are more calm or aggressive, sometimes you have to lift them. Against Arsenal, I didn’t say one word. Playing for the Premier League? They know perfectly. I asked how they warmed up, they said they warmed up ‘so calm’. Players in that situation, they’re relaxed, they know exactly what they have to do. Same with Madrid, they know what they’re playing for in the semi-finals of the Champions League.”

On competing with Arsenal for the Premier League title

“I know perfectly Mikel (Arteta), I know, the players know – they (Arsenal) will not give up. If we were ten points ahead, then I’d say it’s over. But we are two points behind. We have to beat West Ham and Fulham. The reality, we are behind. If today the season finished, they’d be champions. It’s possible – you can lose points and draw games in one week. We have to be aware of that.”