The Pep Guardiola Newcastle United press conference has now taken place.
The Manchester City boss speaking ahead of Saturday night’s match.
An 8pm kick-off at St James’ Park.
Tomorrow night seeing the FA Cup fifth round match between Newcastle United and Manchester City taking place.
The team that progresses will then need just one more win to get through to a Wembley semi-final.
Pep Guardiola on playing Newcastle for what will be the fifth time this season: “We know each other quite well…here are no surprises. When the margins are so tight, luck is important.”
Pep Guardiola is the longest serving Premier League manager at his club.
With then Mikel Arteta (Arsenal) and Marco Silva (Fulham), Eddie Howe the fourth longest serving currently.
Pep Guardiola has also faced the NUFC boss when he was with Bournemouth, the Manchester City boss aasked about his relationship with Eddie Howe: “Pretty good…but I have never had dinner with Eddie. Some managers I have a relationship with for a long time. At the end of the day, we are rivals, we have to play against each other, but before and after the game it’s completely different.”
Like Newcastle United, Manchester City having to balance matches in a number of competitions.
Pep Guardiola asked how this Newcastle match ranks amongst his priorities: “The FA Cup is so important. we travel to Newcastle to win the game, to get to the next round.”
Eddie Howe saw his 10 men defeat Man U on Wednesday, now facing Man City on Saturday in the FA Cup and Barcelona at home on Tuesday night in the Champions League.
Pep Guardiola watched on as his team twice took the lead at the Etihad on Wednesday but only drew 2-2 with Forest (see image above), now facing Newcastle on Saturday in the FA Cup and then Real Madrid away on Wednesday night in the Champions League.
Pep Guardiola declaring: “We play a lot of games in March and long travels away so fatigue is involved…we have to use all the squad otherwise it is not possible to play in the rhythm we want to play.”
Manchester City of course have huge advantages over Newcastle United. A far stronger bigger squad, certainly in terms of depth, whilst United hardest hit this season of all Premier League clubs when it comes to days lost to injury.
Eddie Howe will be missing at least six players on Saturday, with Bruno, Krafth, Schar, Miley and Livramento injured, plus Ramsey suspended.
Nico O’Reilly scored both goals against Newcastle United in the Premier League at the Etihad, but missed the draw with Forest in midweek, Pep Guardiola hoping to have him back.
Erling Haaland returned after a knock to face Forest and as for O’Reilly, Pep Guardiola saying on Friday: “Thursday he felt better, so we will see today.”