Pep Guardiola Discusses Manchester City’s Performance, Erling Haaland’s Fitness, and Sporting Manager Ruben Amorim

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola addressed the media in advance of Tuesday’s Champions League fixture against Sporting, scheduled for 20:00 GMT. The following are the key statements from his news conference: Regarding the team’s recent sequence of results: Guardiola commented, “I know our standards. We lost one game in the Premier League. Maybe we will lose against Brighton and Tottenham [next two league fixtures], but we lost one game and we are two points behind a top-class team in Liverpool. I know people expect us to win 38 games 5-0 and the Treble every season because this is our standards – but this will not happen.” On the current season’s challenges: The manager stated, “We have to accept we are going to struggle and it is fine. Every game will be more difficult than when everything was smooth. We won six Premier Leagues in seven years and situations change. It’s the reality. The middle class in the Premier League rise unbelievably. The top-class teams were always there – add Newcastle and Tottenham, but after you see Fulham, Brentford, most of the teams.” Concerning Erling Haaland’s physical state and the need for rest: Guardiola confirmed, “He’s fine, no problem. We have to occupy the news 24 hours a day. I don’t think he needs a break.” About Ruben Amorim’s leadership at Sporting: Guardiola observed, “The pattern is clear. Movements in behind are so dangerous – the pace and the control. Good inside, good switch of players and movement. Winning the Portuguese leagues after 20 years and then doing it again shows how good the job he has done here.”