Pep Guardiola has made some telling comments ahead of their FA Cup quarter final clash at St James’ Park – saying Sunday’s game is the one they want to win above all else and a “final” for them.
A win at the weekend would see us make our first FA Cup semi final for 15 years, however it seems the Man City boss is prioritising a win at St James’ Park above all else.
The sky Blues face Chelsea tonight at Stamford Bridge and will come up against Liverpool at the Etihad a week today, but he has insisted that the Newcastle United cup clash is their “final” and the one he’s watching out for.
Here’s what he’s had to say:
“We can’t deny that we have one eye on Newcastle (in FA Cup on Sunday).
“Chelsea and Liverpool are prestigious and important games but Newcastle is our game.
“A final for us.”
“We have one eye on this situation so the team selection depends on the physical condition and the minutes they played the day before and the minutes they are going to play.
“We’ll take a look a little bit at what’s going to happen – not just the game against Chelsea.”
Steve Bruce may have to rotate on Sunday, with him going with the same side in both of our league games so far, however it sounds like Guardiola will be managing his player’s minutes at Chelsea tonight so that he can field his strongest possible side this weekend.
A daunting prospect for Newcastle United – especially when Pep’s side have won their two games back by an aggregate scoreline of 8-0 so far!
That said, the fact they’ll have one day less recovery time and will also be without Sergio Aguer is a small consolation, with the Argentine having scored 15 goals in 13 games against Newcastle.
After a poor display last night, let’s hope we’re fit and firing on all cylinders on Sunday. We’ll need to be!
Lets hope last night result has ended the give brice a chance brigade, if you can’t beat the second bottom club at home after going a goal up, you have summed up your ability or lack of it.
david render(Quote)
Looking forward to the game on Sunday, we are at home so should give us an advantage…
As I feel Pep would think it is just a walk in the park…
Let’s hope the guys gets us a long awaited final and Win xxx
Raymond(Quote)