LAGOS, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA) –Pep Guardiola is pleased with the determination shown by his Man City players, emphasizing that maintaining this hunger is vital for retaining the Champions League title.
Guardiola expressed satisfaction with his players’ reaction at halftime during their 3-1 victory against West Ham, where they were trailing 1-0.
He commended their desire to turn the match around, highlighting the importance of self-motivation.
“The manager can go on TikTok and repeat motivation but it doesn’t work. Every player has to be moved and feel that,”
Guardiola stated during a press conference. “It belongs to them, I knew at halftime I should come to the players because they were angry.
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“I said ‘Why are you angry, you’re losing 1-0 but performing well. Be clinical upfront and you’d be 3-1 up?’ We push them, they have an incredible mentality, to never give up.“
As City commences their Champions League defense, Guardiola urges his team to avoid complacency following their triumph last season.
He underscores the need for the players to maintain focus and not grow too comfortable.
“The important thing is that the players don’t feel relaxed. If the board are relaxed, good, they don’t score goals.
“For our club to win the Champions League is something incredible. How many teams have won one Champions League.
“In perspective we didn’t do anything special, just one. For us the club didn’t have it, to be part of that is proud.”
Guardiola’s squad starts their group stage campaign with a seemingly straightforward home match against Crvena zvezda on Tuesday night.
