Manchester City so proud of Rodri, says Pep Guardiola
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Pep Guardiola's Manchester City lost in the last eight or earlier of the League Cup in two of the past three seasons.
PHOTO: EPA-EFE
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LONDON – Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has praised newly crowned Ballon d’Or winner Rodri,
City have had a perfect October, winning five consecutive matches in the English Premier League and the Champions League, although a last-gasp 2-1 victory at Wolverhampton Wanderers and a slim 1-0 triumph over Southampton last weekend would have been some cause for concern.
The pre-match talk, however, was all about midfielder Rodri, who is currently injured.
“What can I say? First, to congratulate him and all his family and their friends, it’s incredible news for him and for all of us,” said Guardiola.
“All Manchester City, our fans, we are so proud of him. We could never have imagined this years ago, that one (City) player could receive this prestigious award. We are so delighted to share it with him and, hopefully, it can give him energy to recover well for next season and be with us again.”
The Spaniard also had kind words for Erik ten Hag, who was sacked by Manchester United on Oct 28.
“I wish him all the best, he and his family, and he’s going to come back stronger,” he added.
“He knows, I know, everybody knows that our job depends on results.
“When the results are not good enough, always we are on the verge of staying or being sacked.”
On the pitch, City now have a four-match away run before the international break in November, and will face a different test following two straight wins and clean sheets at the Etihad.
Guardiola would have noted that his side had not been successful in the League Cup in recent years, as they lost at the quarter-final stage or earlier in the past three seasons.
Last campaign, City exited in the third round so to get to this stage is already an improvement, but the manager would be aiming for more trophies alongside their Premier League title defence.
This would probably be a good time to play Spurs, who suffered a 1-0 loss to Crystal Palace over the weekend and are down in eighth in the Premier League standings.
Manager Ange Postecoglou was also fortunate to get to the League Cup fourth round, as his side were two minutes away from a shock loss to Coventry City in September before Djed Spence and Brennan Johnson secured a 2-1 win.
The Spurs boss will remain without his injured captain Son Heung-min, who should be available for the league match at home against Aston Villa on Nov 3.
In other games on Oct 30, Liverpool will seek to bounce back after losing their 100 per cent away record under Arne Slot when they drew 2-2 at Arsenal on Oct 27.
The Reds travel to Brighton & Hove Albion, while the Gunners make the trip to Championship side Preston North End.
United begin life without ten Hag as they host Leicester City with assistant manager Ruud van Nistelrooy in charge for the game at Old Trafford.
Chelsea, meanwhile, hope to continue the momentum after beating Newcastle United 2-1 at home and will next travel to St James’ Park to face the Magpies again.
