Guardiola praises Manchester City players, dubbing them “Supermen” for their resilient performance in a narrow win against Bournemouth.
Pep Guardiola hailed his Manchester City squad as “Supermen” following their hard-fought 1-0 victory against Bournemouth in the Premier League, keeping their pursuit of a fourth consecutive league title alive. Phil Foden’s lone goal secured the win, propelling City to within one point of leaders Liverpool.
Impressed by his team’s resilience, Guardiola referred to his players as “supermen” for their ability to secure victories despite a demanding schedule, especially after playing midweek against Brentford.
“I adore my players – they are supermen,” Guardiola told Sky Sports. “They are so good. Where we come from, for many years, playing every three days – they [Bournemouth] had seven days to prepare for the game and we always have less.”
Despite the challenges of frequent matches and limited recovery time, Guardiola emphasized his admiration for his players’ character and competitive spirit.
Acknowledging the physical and mental toll of their packed schedule, Guardiola defended his team’s performance, highlighting their determination to compete on multiple fronts, including the FA Cup and Champions League.
“We demand too much of our players but they respond. I know people say ‘they earn a lot of money’ but it [the schedule] is too much. Honestly,” he said. “But business must go on and it surprises me every time how we are still there. They have an incredible character and are so competitive – even when they are tired, they give extra. Our fans have to be so proud of these guys.”
Despite external expectations for dominant victories, Guardiola stressed the reality of competitive football and the need for rest to maintain performance levels.
“The last 10-15 minutes were tough,” he said. “We won the Treble and people think we have to win every game 4-0, 5-0 but that is not the reality and hopefully soon we can have a week off and refresh our minds and legs.”
City faces a busy schedule with upcoming FA Cup and Champions League fixtures, followed by a local derby against Manchester United. Despite the intensity of their calendar, defender John Stones expressed confidence in the team’s ability to thrive under pressure, emphasizing their focus on each game as a final and their readiness to perform at their best.
“We thrive off the pressure,” Stones told Sky Sports. “It’s just focusing on ourselves – every game is a final for us. They come thick and fast now and we know we have to perform well.”
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