Pep Guardiola feels some of Manchester City’s detractors want to see the club wiped “from the face of the Earth”.
City are facing the threat of a points deduction or even expulsion from the Premier League after being charged with 115 breaches of the competition’s regulations following an investigation into their financial affairs.
A long-awaited hearing into the matter began earlier this week and a verdict is expected to be delivered next year.
City manager Guardiola has claimed previously that some of the club’s rivals want to see them found guilty and he appears in no doubt they would expect punishment to be severe.
Guardiola brought up the matter unprompted at a press conference to preview Sunday’s clash with Arsenal while ostensibly delivering an answer about the tendency of people to overly criticise isolated bad performances.
He said: “During a season, you can say, ‘Oh, it was a bad season’.
“But for performances some people say, ‘Oh, it’s a disgrace, it is a disaster, it’s unacceptable’. No, during 90 minutes it’s one bad afternoon when they were better.
“But I would say – I’m sorry, I want to defend my club, especially in these modern days when everyone is expecting us not to be relegated, to be disappeared off the face of the Earth, the world – that we have better afternoons than the opponents. That’s why we win a lot.”
Guardiola had moved onto that subject after highlighting the importance of playing a pragmatic game.
City under Guardiola are renowned for their control of possession and fluid style, based on playing out from the back.
Pragmatism is not something they are usually associated with but Guardiola feels people should not overlook another aspect of play they are not only good at, but the best.
He said: “We are so pragmatic as a team – look at the results.
“People think if you have a build-up, a lot of passes and maybe no long balls or transition that we are not pragmatic.
“(People believe) being pragmatic is only related to results and not in beautiful football. I don’t believe in that.
“Pragmatic? We are the best team in the world at being pragmatic. Look the numbers. We won a lot.
“I believe in being pragmatic and we believe in the way we play. We are unbelievably pragmatic, the best I would say. I’m sorry, that is the truth.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel