Pep Guardiola has now revealed what he told the Manchester City players before his side’s 5-1 annihilation of Luton Town.
Ahead of City’s 3-3 draw against Real Madrid, Rodri stressed the importance of how key Guardiola’s words would have been to prepare them for the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final.
It seems like the Catalan tactician’s pre-match team talk was faultless as his players clinched a brilliant result in the Spanish capital.
As is customary before any game, managers give speeches to their players to gee them up for the match.
Especially at the highest level as it is key for the players to gauge the importance of getting a result ahead of the contest.
A lackadaisical approach by the players can prove costly, especially in a league as unpredictable as the Premier League.
Guardiola reveals what he told City players ahead of Luton victory
With Manchester City especially having the chance to keep Arsenal and Liverpool on their toes, if the hosts’ players were complacent at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, their title hopes may have been in jeopardy.
Considering City’s players have been there and done that on several instances, they perhaps needed no external motivation to get the job done against Luton Town.
As they did, conceding an avoidable goal but scoring five past Thomas Kaminski.
In their last three league outings, the treble-winners have scored 13 goals.
Seeing how well Arsenal and Liverpool have performed in the New Year in particular, City have seemingly upped the ante recently, especially against Luton as they scored four goals in the second half.
After Manchester City cruised past Luton, Pep Guardiola reminded his players [via HaytersTV] of the “privilege” of fighting on three fronts once again this season.
Guardiola stated, “We spoke to the players, how incredible it is to be here again. Before the game, we spoke, ‘Guys, we have to admit it. What a privilege. After what we have done in the previous seasons, still fighting for Premier League, 21, now 18 points, on Wednesday, we are going to play against Real Madrid, chance to qualify for the semi-final with all the energy our fans will bring, all the best positive moods they will bring for us to be here and FA Cup next Saturday to reach the final, what a privilege to live here.’
‘Imagine to be no chance for Premier League, no chance in other competitions, so try to extend for one more week and one more week and one more week. Go there, one week. In the Premier League, we have one more week.’
Perfectly summed up from Pep Guardiola
Some would argue that the Manchester City players did not require Pep Guardiola to give a speech for them to demolish Luton.
However, in our view, that would be a case of actively deciding not to look at the bigger picture.
Guardiola reiterated the importance of realising that the pressure that comes with competing on three fronts is a privilege for his players once again this season.
The prospect of not being in the frame to win either of these competitions would be a nightmare for serial winners like them.
As a result, Pep Guardiola ensures his players keep their hunger alive and take care of business, as they went on to against Rob Edwards’ side.