As Manchester City prepares to face Manchester United in the highly anticipated Etihad derby this Sunday, Pep Guardiola addressed the media with a mix of passion and pragmatism. The reigning champions have faced a challenging run of results recently, with only one win in their last ten fixtures across all competitions. Despite this, Guardiola remains confident in his squad’s resilience and determination.
Guardiola emphasized the “soul and spirit” of his team, acknowledging the tough circumstances they’ve faced due to numerous injuries. Key players like Rodri and Oscar Bobb are long-term absentees, and the recent loss of Manuel Akanji to a pelvic injury has exacerbated the defensive crisis. With John Stones and Nathan Ake struggling and Rico Lewis suspended, Guardiola may have to field a makeshift defense, potentially including a midfielder or youngster Jahmai Simpson-Pusey.
Despite these challenges, Guardiola called on his players and fans to enter “survival mode” and work even harder to turn things around. He stressed the importance of staying positive and continuing to work hard, even in the face of adversity. Guardiola also expressed his desire to see his current squad succeed rather than bringing in new players, highlighting the club’s financial sustainability.
The upcoming derby is not just about bragging rights but also about City’s quest to bounce back from their recent defeat to Juventus in the Champions League and regain their form in the Premier League. Guardiola’s leadership and tactical acumen will be crucial as he navigates this challenging period and aims to lead his team to victory against their city rivals.
As the match approaches, all eyes will be on Guardiola and his squad to see if they can rise to the occasion and deliver a much-needed win for the fans. The Etihad Stadium is sure to be buzzing with excitement and anticipation as these two historic rivals clash once again.
Manchester City performance and stats
Manchester City is currently 4th in the Premier League with 27 points.
In the last 15 games, it has won 8 times, drew 3 times, and lost 4 times. In its last match, Manchester City drew 2-2 against Crystal Palace.
It has a positive goal difference after scoring 27 goals and conceding 21.
Manchester City will play the next match in Premier League against Manchester United on Sunday 15th of December in Manchester. The prediction is Manchester City winning the match.
Manchester United performance and stats
Manchester United is currently 13th in the Premier League with 19 points.
In the last 15 games, it has won 5 times, drew 4 times, and lost 6 times. In its last match, Manchester United lost 2-3 against Nottingham Forest.
It has a positive goal difference after scoring 19 goals and conceding 18.
Manchester United will play the next match in Premier League against Manchester City on Sunday 15th of December in Manchester. The prediction is Manchester City winning the match.
