Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has been speaking to the media before Tuesday’s Champions League game against Bodo/Glimt at Aspmyra Stadion (kick-off 17:45 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
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Guardiola confirmed that Phil Foden has “a little bit broken his bones” in his hand but will wear protection on it and is fit for the game.
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On the signing of defender Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace, which was confirmed on Monday: “Top, top central defender. He has played for the national team. Thanks to the club for bringing him here. He has the perfect age for many years now, can play right, left. I know he wanted to choose us. With problems in the back for next few months, it is important he is here.”
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He added: “I’m pretty sure if he had a long contract at Crystal Palace it would have been impossible [to sign him now], but the fact that it’s six months, end of contract, the situation was easier in those terms. But of course, Crystal Palace and Man City have to agree and after, the player decided to come. Otherwise, even in that situation, it would not be possible.”
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Guardiola insisted it is the “same feeling” now about the Manchester derby defeat as it was after the match: “They were better. [We were] immediately thinking of this different competition and the chance to finish in the top eight tomorrow. We didn’t talk one word about Manchester United before coming here. Now, it is another competition. Now, we have chance to qualify in the top eight and that is enough of an argument to focus on tomorrow and not the past.”
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The City boss said the win against Newcastle at St James’ Park in the Carabao Cup showed they “are ready” as a team, but then a few days later against Manchester United showed “we are not ready”. He feels this “inconsistency is normal” with injuries and added: “When you have the situation we have now then you have ups and downs. If you accept it then the team grows up. It happens.”
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Asked about playing on Bodo/Glimt’s artificial pitch, Guardiola responded: “It is different. It is why we train the night before in the stadium when we never train in the stadium the night before, but we need to see how the ball bounces… If I start to cry for that situation, then we wouldn’t achieve what happens in the past.”
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On Oscar Bobb’s future: “I don’t have an idea [about his situation]. He says he is not fit, so he is not fit.”
Listen to full commentary of Bodo/Glimt v Manchester City on Tuesday from 17:45 GMT on BBC Sounds
