Pep Guardiola has hit back at Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after the Norwegian’s claim that Manchester City ‘will kick you’.
The Red Devils boss suggests his team will have to deal with tactical fouling during tonight’s Manchester derby at Old Trafford.
1
Solskjaer and Guardiola go head to head in the Premier League tonight
Solskjaer is not the first United manager to have claimed City might strategically foul opponents high up the pitch to prevent counter-attacks, with his predecessor Jose Mourinho having mentioned it last season.
“When we win it we have got to be ready for their aggression because they will snap at your ankles and heels and kick you,” Solskjaer said at his pre-match press conference. “They will not allow us easy counter-attacking. There will be fouls, no doubt about it.”
Guardiola reacted with surprise when this was mentioned at his own media briefing.
LATEST FOOTBALL NEWS
“Did he say that?” the Spaniard asked. “I never prepare a game in 10 seasons as a manager thinking about these kind of things, never.
“The players can talk about it better than me, the players I had at Barcelona, Bayern Munich and here.
“I know exactly what I said to my players from day one to the last day. When a player wants to attack, we have to be honest.
LIVE ON talkSPORT
talkSPORT is your home of live football! Here's what's coming up on talkSPORT and talkSPORT 2...
- Sheffield United vs Ipswich (Saturday, 5:15pm) – talkSPORT 2
- Brighton vs Newcastle (Saturday, 5:30pm) – talkSPORT
- Norwich vs Blackburn (Saturday, 7:30pm) – talkSPORT 2
- Leeds United vs Aston Villa (Sunday, 12pm) – talkSPORT 2
- Coventry vs Shrewsbury (Sunday, 3pm) – talkSPORT 2
“Of course there is contact, there are fouls, but when it happens (it is because) you arrive late and that is why there are referees, to make yellow cards or red cards or whatever they decide.
“I prepare to do our own game, that is what I want, knowing of course the opponent, but I never said I’m going to do that to punish them or cancel them (by) making fouls. Never.”
Guardiola was asked if he thought comments such as Solskjaer’s could influence the referee.
“That’s the reason why, of course,” he said.
Celtic news: Colin Hendry says Hoops 'can't fully achieve' 10 titles in a row as Rangers were absent Neil Lennon's side are on the verge of claiming their eighth consecutive Scottish
Celtic news: Colin Hendry says Hoops 'can't fully achieve' 10
FRANK LAMPARD has told Leeds fans to keep singing their hearts out with the cheeky new Oasis chant they have dedicated to him. Leeds supporters serenaded Lamps throughout Saturday's 1-0 play-off
Frank Lampard mocks Leeds fans with their own chant after
Lucas Moura has become only the 10th person in history to be awarded a perfect score by French newspaper L'Equipe. Tottenham hero Lucas Moura is only 10th player to get perfect score from L
Moura becomes just 10th player in history to get 10/10 rating
Manchester United transfer gossip: The Football Manager
Welcome to the Evening Standard's LIVE blog dedicated to the latest transfer news, rumours and gossip. latest from Arsenal, Man United, Chelsea, Liverpool such as Harry Wilson and Mason
Mohamed Salah tackle: Liverpool forward lucky to escape red
Ruben Loftus-Cheek will only sign new Chelsea contract if he gets assurances over first-team place next season RUBEN LOFTUS-CHEEK will seek assurances before committing his long-term future to
Loftus-Cheek wants assurances over first-team spot before
The Barcelona star, who has scored 110 Champions League goals in his career - second only to the all-time top scorer Cristiano Ronaldo on 126 - hit 12 goals this season, but the Blaugrana were
The shocking stats behind Manchester United's slump: 'They're
Massimiliano Allegri will 'not be rushed' into next job after leaving Juventus amid Chelsea and Bayern Munich links Massimiliano Allegri is in no rush to
Juventus: 'I will choose a team I like' -Massimiliano Allegri
Apr 20, 2019 · PFA Players' Player of the Year, Young Player of the Year award nominees announced, Premier League, full list and Young Player of the Year have been revealed. Leicester City Liverpool
PFA Player of the Year: Shortlist revealed as Liverpool and
No comments:
Post a Comment