Pep Guardiola explains why he has not watched Manchester City’s derby defeat to Man United back
Manchester City’s derby defeat has served as a vital reminder to retain concentration against elite opposition, according to Pep Guardiola.
City’s record-breaking 21-match winning run was ended by Manchester United and, while Guardiola believes his team took positives from the reverse, the manager stressed his players must eradicate individual mistakes when facing top sides.
City can stretch their lead to 14 points in the quest for a third Premier League title in four seasons on Wednesday against Southampton.
Pep Guardiola elected not to watch back Man City’s derby defeat on Sunday to Man United
United’s victory at the Etihad Stadium saw City’s 21-match winning run brought to an end
‘I didn’t watch the game. We don’t have time. I watched many Southampton games,’ Guardiola said.
‘Maybe we’ll play United in the FA Cup but if we don’t then it will be next season.
‘We’re in the Champions League, they’re in the Europa League. We already played them in the Carabao Cup.
‘There was disappointment, sadness, then the second day it was better and today completely on fire to do a good game tomorrow.
Guardiola said there was ‘sadness’ and his City players have been ‘on fire’ to make amends
‘It’s a normal process when you lose. The reaction is common. Everyone realised how difficult it is to go on a good run and we did it. The Premier League is so complicated, so difficult.
‘Sometimes it is good to live it [defeats] to realise what we have done. We are alive in all competitions and now we’ve arrived at the important part of the season.’
Guardiola still maintains that City can be caught in the title race, despite their rivals having to catch up with only 10 games remaining.
‘When the option is open, anything can happen,’ he added. ‘Nobody thought we’d do 21 games in a row so anything can happen. United can do it. We have to win six or seven games to be champions mathematically.
‘We played really good against United apart from the first 10 minutes. I have an idea in general of the guys who will play tomorrow but I have a few doubts. Tomorrow I will decide.’
The City boss said they can emerge positively from the defeat as they face Southampton next
Guardiola also insisted that he will not allow Sergio Aguero’s future to act as a sideshow during the final quarter of their campaign.
Aguero is out of contract in June, with new Barcelona president Joan Laporta earmarking the striker as a potential summer signing.
He added: ‘Maybe at the start of the international break I will have more time and will think about it.’
Meanwhile, City remain in negotiations with Kevin De Bruyne over a contract extension.
The 29-year-old rejected an opening offer and the club are believed to have returned with improved terms.
