LONDON (REUTERS) - Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said he has "huge respect" for Tottenham Hotspur after Friday's (March 15) Champions League quarter-final draw pitted the Premier League rivals against each other.
With four English clubs in the last eight for the first time in 10 years it was always likely two would clash next month and while Tottenham have suffered a dip in form of late, Guardiola said Mauricio Pochettino's team would be a tough hurdle.
"Huge respect for Tottenham, I know them quite well," Guardiola, speaking at a news conference ahead of Saturday's FA Cup quarter-final at Swansea City, told reporters.
"They have different systems they can use, five at the back, a diamond, 4-2-3-1. I know how good they are at the front with Son (Heung-min), (Harry) Kane, Dele Alli and (Christian) Eriksen. Experience in all departments."
The sides will meet three times in 11 days with Tottenham hosting the first leg on April 9 before the second leg on April 17 and a Premier League clash, also at the Etihad, three days later.
"In that position it was three different competitions," Guardiola said.
"It's game by game, the first games influences the second one, the second one influences the third.
"We travel to London. London is closer than going to Spain or Catalonia," Guardiola added.
Â
Guardiola's immediate focus is on beating Championship side Swansea on Saturday to keep alive City's hopes of a quadruple.
They will be huge favourites for that clash in south Wales but will be without defenders John Stones and Vincent Kompany as well as midfielder Kevin De Bruyne.
Benjamin Mendy and Fernandinho are also out.
"We will have to make changes," Guardiola said. "Stones on bench, not ready to play. He is still recovering.
"Vinny and Kevin not fit. We don't have too many options. Tomorrow is a quarter-final, that is the most important thing by far, to reach the semis."
Encounter specialist Daya Nayak is in the middle of a controversy once again. This time he is being accused of trading bodies with DIG Vanzara of the Gujarat
Boeheim courts controversy again in postgame remarks
Football: Jose Mourinho's highs and lows at Manchester United
Bayern forward Wagner makes China move after 'very attractive offer' Bayern Munich's back-up striker Sandro Wagner on Wednesday joined Tianjin Teda in the Chinese Super League (CSL) for a reported transfer fee of five million euros ($5.7m) and a hefty pay packet.
Alexis Sanchez came back to haunt Arsenal as the Chilean opened the scoring in Manchester United's 3-1 FA Cup fourth-round win on Friday to maintain Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's 100 percent record as caretaker manager. United's winning run under the Norwegian is now eight games in all competitions and his decision to make five changes was vindicated
LONDON - Raheem Sterling's hat-trick in Manchester City's 3-1 win over Watford lifted the champions four points clear at the top of the Premier League after Tottenham Hotspur's challenge faltered again with a 2-1 loss at Southampton on Saturday.
Football: Man City surge clear through Sterling as Spurs suffer
Bottom club Huddersfield Town ended their eight-match losing streak in the Premier League with a goalless draw at fellow strugglers Cardiff City on Saturday.Cardiff, in 17th place, did not manage a shot on target and Huddersfield were left fuming over a decision from referee Lee Mason.
Cardiff City vs. Huddersfield Town - Football Match Report
Pochettino's side made a dismal start as Donny van de Beek put Ajax ahead after just 15 minutes at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Tuesday. Pochettino takes blame but slams 'sloppy
Football: Pochettino takes blame but slams 'sloppy' Spurs
Norwich City secured promotion to the English Premier League after a three-year absence with a 2-1 win at home to Blackburn Rovers on Saturday. Norwich CityVictory left Championship leaders Norwich ni | Africa Football
Football: Norwich promoted to Premier League after three-year
NFL Media senior analyst and personnel guru Gil Brandt ranks the best running backs in NFL history. Take a look at how they stack up.
The Greatest Comeback in Football History | Super Bowl 51
Women's World Cup Women's Reds must forget 2018 final woes. are preparing for their first ever Champions League final and first final in any competition since the 2015 EFL Cup Final.
Champions League final: Liverpool defeats Tottenham, 2-0, for
Sergio Aguero recorded a hat-trick to fire Manchester City back into second place with a 3-1 victory against Arsenal at the Etihad. The Blues are now two points adrift of Liverpool, who travel to
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino will be the one who has the final say on whether Harry Kane will play at Burnley. The England captain is back in training following an ankle injury which has
Home snap Albirex's title-winning streak The long trophy streak has, at long last, been broken. After hoovering up all 11 trophies on offer in the previous three seasons, Albirex Niigata finally tasted defeat when Home United triumphed 5-4 on penalties to lift the Community Shield last night as the new Singapore Premier League (SPL) season
Derby boss Frank Lampard hits back at Leeds fans with Spygate
sportslifetale.com/soccer/derby-boss-frank-lampard-hits-back-at-leeds-fans-with-spygate-dig-after-play-off-triumph/
Following their first-leg win at Pride Park, Leeds fans mocked Lampard over the spying scandal with a chant to Oasis' 'Stop Crying Your Heart Out' which sang: "All of the spies are hidden away, just try not to worry, you'll beat us some day. We beat you at home, we beat you away, stop crying Frank Lampard."
Albirex Niigata vs. Home United - Football Match Report
0 comments:
Post a Comment