In this video
- Asked about managing minutes and Madrid's injuries, Guardiola said rotating gives fresh legs and minds in a season of many games. But tomorrow is 11 against 11, a first leg to get a result.
“…maybe you are lucky and go through but the next one you will not be lucky.”
- Asked how this differs from last season's play-off, when Real were the better team, he said City arrive better with the squad. Last season they came with a lot of fatigue and few players available.
- Asked about the Madrid coach saying City always have a surprise, Guardiola joked about a lot of surprises, then said honestly there are none. He thinks both sides know each other.
- Asked whether the fear factor of this ground has worn off, he said he prefers to be there in the last 16. Years ago the club was never there, and it is a lesson for new players.
- Asked to describe the team's identity, he pointed to the Newcastle game: proactive, regaining the ball, attacking quickly. Winning the ball back quickly is, he thinks, what has defined the team for ten years.
- Asked when his teams became what they could be, he pointed to the year City won the final without playing a good one. Painful exits before that helped them grow.
Pep Guardiola press conference ahead of Real Madrid vs Man City
