Pep Guardiola hits back at a BIG misconception about his management style and highlights ‘outstanding’ Man City feat in sassy interview after FA Cup quarter-final win at Bournemouth
- Pep Guardiola was eager to highlight his team’s achievements and work ethic
- Manchester City have reached the FA Cup semi-finals seven seasons in a row
- LISTEN NOW: It’s All Kicking Off! Are Liverpool fans right to lambast Trent Alexander-Arnold?
Pep Guardiola claimed football fans have misunderstood his teams over the years after beating Bournemouth in the FA Cup quarter-finals.
And the Manchester City boss was keen to highlight an ‘outstanding’ achievement in a season which has seen them pulled from pillar to post.
City came from behind at the Vitality Stadium thanks to Erling Haaland and Omar Marmoush’s second-half goals, booking a semi-final with Nottingham Forest. Nico O’Reilly, who struck twice against Plymouth in the last round, assisted both.
Haaland, who saw a penalty saved by Kepa Arrizabalaga, came off injured after falling into the advertising hoardings from a challenge by Lewis Cook, but Guardiola said he had no updates on his striker’s fitness.
In an interview with plenty of attitude, he was mostly eager to highlight an unprecedented honour – reaching the FA Cup semi-finals for seven seasons on the trot.
‘In my career as a manager, all the people say, “how good they play, how good they play.” No, no, no – how much we run, how much we fight, and this season in many games it happens,’ he told ITV Sport’s Gabriel Clarke.
Pep Guardiola claimed people have failed to recognise how hard-working his teams are
He hailed his side’s steeliness as they came from behind to beat Bournemouth 2-1
Guardiola said it was ‘outstanding’ that they had reached the FA Cup semi-finals for seven seasons in a row
‘Seven times in a row, semi-finals of the FA Cup. I’m sorry to tell you but this is outstanding.
‘That means this generation of players, what they have done these many years, it isn’t easy to come here, one of the toughest away places to come becuase they play with intensity and the pressing.
‘I said at half-time, you have the game in your hands, so keep going.
‘I’m really pleased to reach the semi-final again.
‘In November, we came here with flip-flops, we were on holiday. If you don’t compete, if you are not doing what you have to do, it’s impossible.
‘Today we were a team, we challenged. In football you have to run.’
‘Seven times in a row, you play all the games, all the teams, in the Premier League, Champinship. We love the FA Cup and hope to reach the final.’
Bournemouth were hoping to reach the FA Cup semi-finals for the first time in their 126-year history, and when Evanilson scrambled the ball in after 21 minutes, the Cherries started to dream.
Guardiola appeared to enjoy an afternoon of amusement with his touchline antics
Goalscorer Erling Halaand came off injured after crashing into the advertising hoardings
Omar Marmoush scored City’s second of the day as they set up a tie with Nottingham Forest
The hosts had already beaten City this season, a 2-1 win back in November, but were mostly on the back foot as the Premier League champions turned up the pressure.
This competition represents City’s last realistic hope of silverware this campaign, what with them being 22 points behind champions-elect Liverpool.
Their opponents at Wembley will be Nottingham Forest, who saw off Brighton on penalties after a 0-0 draw on the south coast.
Crystal Palace and Aston Villa will contest the other semi-final, having beaten Fulham and Preston 3-0 away from home respectively.
