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ORANGEBURG, NY– Manchester City head coach Pep Guardiola addressed the media following Manchester City’s 3-2 International Friendly defeat versus A.C. Milan.
Manchester City Press Conference.
Head Coach Pep Guardiola began the press conference with a question pertaining to the MLS venues, NYCFC’s training grounds, and the growth and development of Major League Soccer and the level of competition over the past few years.
“You know better than me. Because you are here. I can imagine the impact from Messi coming and I think the stadiums will attract more people. Hopefully. America can have a good league, it will be important for all around the world, not just for USA but, it’s always a pleasure to come here and to see a stadium today, this baseball stadium, how nice it is… You breathe history. I’m happy there were no injuries, and it was a good performance.”
I then had the privilege to ask Pep Guardiola about his thoughts on forward Oscar Bobb’s performance and the link-up play with forward Erling Haaland.
The Norwegian duo combined for 1 goal and 1 assist during the match.
Pep Guardiola responds to my question on Oscar Bobb’s performance versus A.C. Milan & the overall link up play with Erling Haaland:#ManCity | #ManchesterCity pic.twitter.com/KFS3GmH7UG
— Caleb Pongratz (@CalebPongratz10) July 28, 2024
Pep stated, “It was really really good. Better than the previous game. Previous game had impact in the goal and assist but today, his contributions in the game, you know… football is not just statistics and how they play day-to-day in the highest level. He was decisive in one-against-ones, two-against-twos, aggressive — with and without the ball and can play in different positions. He played really good. Not just him though, we have a young young all-back four, some from the academy played except Rico, so it’s normal that for example more play in a position that’s not natural. Many know some played in un-natural positions, but it’s incredible experiences for them. For the future for us or to go on loan or another club so it’s really good to see how they are playing against teams like Celtic and Milan, top top teams with a group of players. It’s a top experience for our growth and the academy for ourselves to see how they perform and how they build up. These games are fantastic, they are really really good to see them because during the season it’s difficult to see them and you can see how they behave, the character, the personality. This is not surrounded for the center players. Normally the younger players come into place around a 80-90% for the first team where they can be comfortable and can express themselves. Here it is completely the opposite. You have 3-4 players in the first team and the others are from the academy and they prove that they’re able to be surrounded by centered players. It’s a good message for me, for all of us.
Pep was then asked if Oscar Bobb reminded himself of any other players to which Pep joking responded, ” He reminds me of Oscar Bobb.”.
Pep went on to say, “He’s electric, in small spaces he’s really good. Sometimes he needs to be a little more composed and needs to reduce his speed. For example, the chance he missed, he needs to be more calm more composed. He can pass to Erling, he can shoot, or pass to Jack, but he’s young. His work ethic is unbelievable. He can play as striker, he can fill into pockets and is a guy that when he feels comfortable, he goes and dribbles which is a big step in our attack.”
Jack Grealish is a popular man in New York 🤩pic.twitter.com/kfBYeHmmmU
— Premier League USA (@PLinUSA) July 26, 2024
The coach was then asked on Jack Grealish’s return. The player joined the squad late after spending the summer with the England National Team in the 2024 European Championships.
Pep stated, “Step-by-step. It’s important that he’s getting minutes after holidays and that he’s trying but he’ll get his best.”
The coach then was asked about the support and atmosphere in front of the 46,000 that turned out for the match.
Pep said commented stating, “Whenever they invite us, it is always a good atmosphere. 7 goals the previous game, 5 goals today. For the guys who paid for tickets, it’s really good. I’m glad to see a lot of blue shirts. When we started 7-8 years ago, there weren’t much and now, these players that have been here in the past and comeback to see the stadiums with a lot of blue shirts, it’s a lot of pride. I would have preferred to bring the central players like Kevin DeBruyne, John Stones, and Kyle Walker, like all the people are waiting for but the schedule is schedule, it would not be possible for them to come here.”
A Historic Night in the BX 🙌 pic.twitter.com/fZ8FKltSI7
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) July 28, 2024
The coach then went on to comment that he intends to see more winger play this season. With the likes of Oscar Bobb, Jeremy Doku, Savinho, Bernardo Silva and Jack Grealish with different types of wingers, there will be changes on game scenarios.
Pep then noted that Erling Haaland’s halftime substitution in the match was a planned substitution & expects Mateo Kovacic will play some minutes in Manchester City’s next match.
Guardiola concluded the press conference by answering a question regarding a time where he refereed a youth soccer game while he was living here on sabbatical in New York City many years ago.
“The fathers were not happy with me & they sacked me. The game was in Central Park, and it was really good.”
Manchester City Team Logo. Image Courtesy of Manchester City.
English side Manchester City are next set to take on Spanish side FC Barcelona in an International Friendly. The match will kick off in Orlando, Florida at Camping World Stadium at 8:30 p.m. EST on Tuesday, July 30th. For more International Friendlies, you can find them on ESPN or ESPN+.
