adminPep Guardiola’s early Leeds United declaration with incredible praise for Whites man & Man City drinks advice
are next up for and his title-hunting side, with the City boss already underlining the magnitude of Saturday’s trip to Elland Road.
City remain embroiled in a gripping Premier League title battle with . A win in West Yorkshire would move Guardiola’s men to within two points of the league leaders.
At present, City trail by five points but crucially hold a game in hand. Adding further intrigue, the Gunners are still due to travel to the Etihad Stadium in mid-April for what could prove to be a decisive encounter in the race for the crown.
With both sides aware that winning all their remaining fixtures would guarantee them the title, the destiny of the Premier League trophy effectively rests in their own hands.
However, Guardiola has admitted he does not expect a flawless run-in from his team, despite their relentless form and experience in high-pressure situations.
Looking ahead to the Leeds clash, Guardiola has already issued a note of caution. He stressed that playing at Elland Road is never straightforward and reserved special praise for Leeds head coach , whom he described as a friend and a manager he greatly admires.
Speaking after City’s 2-1 victory over Newcastle United, Guardiola was asked about the mentality required to navigate a tense title race. In response, he jokingly encouraged his players to unwind before refocusing on the task ahead.
“I told them, ‘guys, what you have to do with the mental courage is take a lot of caipirinhas and daiquiris in these three days. Enjoy life,’” Guardiola said with a smile. “And after that, make proper training sessions and go to Leeds. That is what we have always done.”
Despite the light-hearted tone, his underlying message was clear: stay calm, avoid getting carried away by permutations, and concentrate solely on the next fixture. Guardiola warned against assuming anything in a season that has already delivered plenty of twists.
“You could say now if we win here or Arsenal do that or Aston Villa do this, and after that a slap in your face — what you thought would happen becomes the complete opposite,” he explained.
Turning his attention back to Leeds, Guardiola reiterated the scale of the challenge awaiting his side.
“I have incredible admiration and respect for Daniel. He is a friend of mine and I know how difficult it will be,” he said. “That is what you have to do — win the next game. And if it doesn’t go well, keep going. Never give up. Ten or eleven games in the Premier League is a lot. A lot.”
Guardiola also made a candid admission about the unpredictable nature of the run-in. While City remain in contention across multiple competitions, he hinted that balancing domestic and European commitments could complicate matters.
“I promise you, honestly, many things are going to happen,” he added. “I have the feeling we are not going to win all the games. I don’t know why, but I have that feeling.”
With the FA Cup and Champions League fixtures looming, Guardiola acknowledged that fatigue, injuries, and unforeseen setbacks are almost inevitable at this stage of the campaign. Managing those challenges, he believes, will be just as important as tactical preparation.
“Many, many games are coming and injuries are going to come,” he said. “The best way is relax now and focus on Leeds, and then we will see.”
Ultimately, Guardiola insists the title race will hinge on City’s own standards and consistency rather than external factors.
“At the end it depends on our level, how we play,” he concluded. “And it is getting better and better and better.”
As the pressure intensifies and the margins grow ever finer, City’s immediate focus is clear: overcome Leeds United at Elland Road and keep the chase firmly alive.
admin
