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Pep Guardiola says Manchester City’s Champions League failure is due to their defence, not the lack of Erling Haaland.
Haaland scored an incredible five goals as City beat RB Leipzig 7-0 on Tuesday evening to reach the quarter-finals with an 8-1 aggregate victory.
Guardiola has sought to win the Champions League with the club but has so far failed, losing in the semi-finals last season after being beaten in the final by Chelsea last year.
But the City boss insists it is not the lack of Haaland, who now has 39 goals this season, in the team that is the problem. He said: “We always score goals here. We scored four goals against Real Madrid. We scored six goals against Monaco. We scored four goals against Tottenham here.
“The problem is not that we don’t score goals. The problem is that we have conceded stupid goals in the past. We give gifts. More often than not, we give gifts.
Manchester City’s Rodrigo and Ruben Dias helped keep a clean sheet against RB Leipzig
“In this competition, one of the reasons is to build, but to play four central defenders in this way does not mean that you are a defensive team. It is difficult for people to understand.
“Nathan [Ake] be focused for 90 minutes, so stable here [in the head]. Reuben [Dias]Manu [Akanji], they become stable here. John [Stones] also. This is what we need in this competition because of the possibilities we are doing now, we are giving it. Process with Edi [Ederson], we have to be careful. We have to do it but we have to be careful.
“Because since I arrived, with Sergi [Aguero]with Gabi [Jesus]we always score goals.”
‘Haaland will be criticized forever if they don’t score two or three’
Haaland has now broken Man City’s 94-year-old record for most goals in a season, beating Tommy Johnson’s previous record which dates back to 1929.
The 22-year-old has scored five hat-tricks in all competitions this season, three more than any other player in Europe’s big five leagues.
Guardiola said: “Yes, a lot. And generally, after scoring a hat-trick, after 65 minutes, I make a substitution.
“If he has achieved this milestone [scoring a double hat-trick], record in 22 or 23 years, it will be boring, life. Now he has a goal to do in the future. Here and everywhere. That’s why I made a substitution.
Erling Haaland celebrates scoring one of five goals for Man City vs RB Leipzig
“Only today, he scored five goals, but I think he touched 30 or 35 contact with the ball. This is what we are looking for. I have the feeling that you participate in the game – defensively and offensively – when the ball comes to you. You are smarter, more precise .
“He can do it but it’s difficult to score goals when you don’t touch the ball for 40 or 50 minutes. Sometimes it’s his fault. He doesn’t move. For example, at Crystal Palace, I said to him, you didn’t play well today. But the other day it was a mistake. us. For example, at RB Leipzig, when we couldn’t find him in the second half.
“But sooner or later, we talk and we try. We try to make the process faster. I would say that we can be slower. But if we have eliminated the holding midfielder, we have to be faster.
“Sometimes people think that it depends on the line-up whether we will play slowly or comfortably. Our mentality has been aggressive since the first day but sometimes we can’t do it because of the opponent.
“Five goals. What can I say, the number of the season. The problem for this man is that every time we don’t score two or three goals, he will be criticized for the rest of his career. This is the reality.”
Guardiola hit back at his Twitter critics over his selection
The City boss also reflected on some of the criticism he received for his team selection, including explaining why Kevin De Bruyne was sometimes left out.
“Kevin is a dynamic player. If he is not dynamic in his movements, he is not a player who can play at the highest level.
“People say I should play Kevin De Bruyne all the time. Well, do you think I’m stupid? If he was at that level, he wouldn’t play? He doesn’t play at that level. Sometimes you have to look and realize.
“Yes Bernardo [Silva] not worth playing? [Ilkay] Gundogan? Gundo is the best quarterback this season. What is the problem? He must compete to reach the highest level, otherwise no other player will play.
Riyad Mahrez missed out against Leipzig and Guardiola revealed that it was Bernardo’s quality without the ball that persuaded him to opt for the Portuguese on the right.
“Leipzig’s left side is amazing with Gvardiol, the ability to build, wow. Bernardo has the ability to press three people with two moves. No one in the world can do that. No one. physical. He is very intelligent, that’s why he plays.
“People say play Riyad. I have more info, man. I have more info than Twitter people. I’m right. I’m sorry. Today, I’m right.”
Guardiola: I must have failed because Roberts chose United
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Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola admits he’s sad that his idol Julia Roberts went to watch United instead of his team when he was in Manchester!
Guardiola was in a buoyant mood after City’s big victory, although it was revealed that he would not be able to succeed at the club because of actress Julia Roberts’ association with rival Manchester United.
“I failed in the Champions League, so don’t worry. Listen, I will tell you a secret. Whatever happens in the Champions League this year. Even if I win this Champions League and three Champions Leagues in a row, I will fail ,” said Guardiola.
“I’ll tell you. I have three idols in my life: Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods and Julia Roberts. These are my three idols. For obvious reasons, Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods are good, and so is Julia Roberts.
“Julia Roberts, last year, came to Manchester. It wasn’t in the 1990s when Sir Alex Ferguson was winning titles and titles and titles. This was at a time when we were better than United, four or five years ago. She went to Man Utd .He didn’t come to see us.
“That’s why even if I win the Champions League, it won’t compare to the fact that Julia Roberts came to Manchester and didn’t come to see us. Even if I win the Champions League, it won’t compare to this disappointment. This is what you need to know.”
Haaland: I don’t think, I just take it!
Manchester City’s Erling Haaland celebrates after scoring his side’s fourth goal against RB Leipzig
“It was a big night,” Haaland said bt sports. “I am very proud to play in the Champions League, I love this competition. Five goals to win 7-0 at home – I am very happy.
“I don’t remember the goal, I just shoot, I don’t think!
“A lot of goals today I didn’t think, I just did. In the penalty, I just wanted to get it in the back of the net, same as the second goal, same as the third goal and every goal.
“A lot of them are quick in their minds and try to put it where the goalkeeper is not. A little is quality but a lot is in the head.”
Asked about Guardiola’s decision to replace him at half-time, he added: “I said, I’d love to score a second hat-trick but what can we do?!”
When is the draw?
The draw for the quarter-finals and semi-finals will be held at 11:00 WIB on Friday, March 17 in Nyon, Switzerland at the UEFA headquarters.
The eight last 16 winners take part in an open quarter-final and semi-final draw.
There is no seeding and no country protection, so clubs can face opposition from the same country. They can also draw teams that have previously played in the group stage.
A final draw will also be held to determine the ‘home’ side for administrative reasons for the showpiece event in Istanbul, Turkey on June 10.
You can follow the signature with Sky Sports’ live blog, so you can keep everything right here.
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