Guardiola settles the ‘Julián Álvarez case’

The Spider stung again. Julián Álvarez caught a rebound in the Bournemouth area to open the scoring this weekend in the Premier League. His contribution was once again key in the second half, when five minutes after the restart he shot on goal. Chris Mepham ended up introducing the ball into his goal when he tried to intercept the shot from the Argentine footballer, who played behind Erling Haaland. And the Norwegian also scored. In the press conference on Monday, prior to the cup match against Bristol City, Pep Guardiola highlighted Álvarez’s contribution to Manchester City’s game.

The Mancunians follow in the wake of Arsenal, although they could see the Londoners extend their lead this week when they recover their pending game against Everton. Before Wednesday’s game, two points separate gunners y cityzens in the ranking.

How do you think your team is doing?

Exceptional. Maybe after Nottingham Forest we lost regularity, but now we’ve won again. Our game is good, the results could be better like against Tottenham or Forest, but football is like that sometimes. It is clear that our game is not exceptional, that’s fine. I have no complaints about how we play and fight. After the last game I said that the atmosphere was exceptional, the boys are giving it their all and that’s enough for me.

What is the importance of the match in the FA Cup?

We are in three competitions, and both tomorrow’s and the Champions League offer us opportunities. Losing now begins to be definitive in the Premier League, especially when you approach the last ten days. I have the feeling that a lot will happen in the Premier League, a lot of teams will drop points but we can’t allow it. We want to fight until the end.

Are you satisfied with the contribution of Julián Álvarez?

Play very fast. When he acts behind Haaland we know that we always have a player in the area. He scored two goals. In the first he got to the right space and scored at the far post, he is always there. In the second goal, the team’s fourth, he was there because we needed other players in the area. That’s why it’s so important, it helps Haaland score more goals.