LONDON • Pep Guardiola will become the first manager in 10 years to retain the Premier League title if City win their final two games, but an old nemesis, Leicester's Jamie Vardy, stands in his way today.
He remains the only player to have scored a hat-trick against a Guardiola-managed side in a 4-2 humiliation of City at the King Power Stadium in December 2016.
Since the 2011-12 campaign, only City striker Sergio Aguero has scored more goals against "Big Six" sides (44) than Vardy (34), who is in red-hot form with 11 strikes in 11 games. He has 18 league goals and is fifth in a chart topped by Liverpool's Mohamed Salah (22).
With Vardy leading the line, even though the game will be played at City's Etihad stomping ground, Guardiola has every reason to be wary of "an incredible striker with his movement, finishing, fighting".
He highlighted the former England striker's raw pace as a danger, saying: "His career speaks for itself, not just the last few games, but (lately) he's scored every single game. He's done incredible in this league."
He has also been impressed by his opposite number Brendan Rodgers' influence since replacing Claude Puel in February.
He said: "Before, they were a counter-attack team but, now with Rodgers, they have another way to play and they can use that and control all parts of the game.
"In two months, his team are already playing the way he wants to play. Of course with incredible quality, with so fast players, honestly I've been really impressed.
"The players know it's an incredible task for us, it's already a final for us. Hopefully, the people can help us and we can do what we have to do and win the game."
He also warned his players that the Foxes would be on the prowl for a scalp, insisting he "cannot imagine the Leicester players will come here for their holidays".
The Spaniard added: "They have a chance to finish seventh, too. They will try to make a good game.
"Brendan and Rafa (Benitez) were in Liverpool, but they want to win. I cannot imagine being at former clubs and not wanting to win.
"They want to win so I don't have doubts about that. All players and managers when they are there want to do a good performance."
THE TIMES, LONDON
MAN CITY V LEICESTER
Singtel TV Ch102 & StarHub Ch227, tomorrow, 3am
Chelsea began their FA Youth Cup campaign in style after a Dominic Solanke hat-trick propelled them to a 4-0 win over Dartford. Three goals in ten first-half minutes effectively settled the tie for last year's finalists after the visitors - who were the lowest ranked side competing in the Third
JURGEN KLOPP News - Find latest News & top stories about JURGEN KLOPP. Get more information about JURGEN KLOPP at straitstimes.com. Klopp not falling for title talk trap. Dec 31, 2018, 5:00 am
Liverpool's Klopp avoids title talk despite Arsenal rout
Paul Scholes has been appointed manager of League Two side Oldham Athletic on an 18-month contract. The former Manchester United midfielder begins work at Boundary Park on Monday with the club
A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on December 17, 2018, with the headline 'Europe progress spurs hope for league title: Pochettino'. Print Edition
Exclusive: Spurs hope Pochettino will take club 'to next level'
Chennai City were crowned champions of the 12th I-League following a 3-1 victory over Minerva Punjab in one of the last round matches here. Chennai City's I-League-winning coach Akbar Nawas Saturday called for a unified league with 20 teams, saying it would "benefit" the national team.
Chennai City's I-League winning coach Akbar Nawas calls for
LONDON (AFP) - Maurizio Sarri warned his Chelsea stars to improve their mentality after Willian's sublime strike sealed a hard-fought 2-1 win over struggling Newcastle on Saturday (Jan 12).. Read
Willian gem sinks Newcastle as Chelsea cement fourth place
Get a report of the Brighton & Hove Albion vs. Southampton 2018/2019 English Premier League football match. Hojbjerg strike gives Southampton win at Brighton.
Hojbjerg strike gives Southampton 1-0 win at Brighton
Old Trafford no longer a 'scary' place to go to, says Pep LONDON • Pep Guardiola believes that Manchester United have lost the fear factor and that his Manchester City side are not afraid to go to Old Trafford any more in recent years.
'It is not scary to go there' - Pep Guardiola says Man City
Bayern Munich won a record-extending seventh consecutive Bundesliga title on Saturday after crushing Eintracht Frankfurt 5-1 to finish two points ahead of Borussia Dortmund.
Bayern Munich win Bundesliga title for seventh successive
Mauricio Pochettino believes that Tottenham Hotspurs next logical step in the process of development is to deliver titles. "We are going to have one of the best facilities in the world, the training ground with the new stadium," he told Sky Sports. "On the football side, all that we are building here will be in the same level.
Pochettino: Tottenham 5 10 years off title challenge as
global.espn.com/football/tottenham-hotspur/story/3784587/pochettino-tottenham-5-10-years-off-title-challenge-as-burnley-defeat-proved
Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino has said his side's defeat at Burnley showed they are not yet ready to challenge for the title, and that it could take another five years to instil the necessary mentality. Spurs had the chance to move within two points of the Premier League leaders on Saturday, but they slumped to a 2-1 loss. Editor's Picks
Tottenham vs Liverpool: Who should Mauricio Pochettino pick
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has confirmed Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is ahead of schedule in his recovery from a serious knee injury and could return to training as early as February.
Football: Oxlade-Chamberlain could return to training in
allmysportsnews.com/soccer/football-oxlade-chamberlain-could-return-to-training-in-february-says-klopp/
Football: Oxlade-Chamberlain could return to training in February, says Klopp Posted on 12/28/2018 LIVERPOOL, England (REUTERS) - Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp has confirmed Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is ahead of schedule in his recovery from a serious knee injury and could return to training as early as February.
Football: Oxlade-Chamberlain could return to training in
0 comments:
Post a Comment