Pep Guardiola stated he is indifferent to the intensifying competition in the Premier League title race.
With a game in hand and an upcoming fixture against rivals Arsenal scheduled for April, Manchester City knows that winning their remaining matches will secure them the title, especially after Arsenal’s recent draw with Wolves allowed the gap to close to five points.
When asked if he believes City has a better chance now than a few months ago, Guardiola emphasized his singular focus on Saturday’s matchup against Newcastle.
“I don’t know what will happen in the next 12 games,” he remarked. “I haven’t discussed anything about that with my players. Our only concentration is on Newcastle, Newcastle, and Newcastle.”
“I haven’t mentioned the standings or our position. I couldn’t care less. If you ask me that with two or three games left, then I’ll give you an answer.”
“There are still 12 games remaining; that’s a considerable amount of time. Many things can happen, and that is the only certainty I have.”
Guardiola dismissed the notion that his team’s title-winning experience would play a crucial role, noting, “Seventy percent of the players are new, so they lack the experience of dealing with these situations.”
City enjoyed a rare midweek break, with Guardiola acknowledging the players were fatigued following last weekend’s FA Cup match against Salford.
“The key is that the players feel refreshed,” he said. “They have had a lot of busy months with few days off. I don’t have to run at all, so it’s not an issue for me; after a day or two of rest, I sleep well. The players have trained well over the last two days.”
Erling Haaland is expected to return to the lineup, and Savinho is fit again after being sidelined since early January due to a thigh injury. However, fellow winger Jérémy Doku will remain out.
One standout player for City recently has been Antoine Semenyo, who has integrated smoothly into the squad since his transfer from Bournemouth.
Guardiola expressed his satisfaction with Semenyo’s performance, stating, “It’s not only about scoring goals for those playing up front. His versatility allows him to excel in all three attacking positions, which is something we anticipated. He honed his skills in Bournemouth, demonstrating great rhythm and defensive awareness, making him an excellent fit. His impact has been truly impressive.”
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“It’s his first experience in the Champions League, which presents a good opportunity for him to gauge how he’ll react. However, I am confident that, due to his mentality, he will manage it exceptionally well.”
Guardiola was also questioned about the troubling incidents during the Champions League match between Benfica and Real Madrid, where Vinícius Júnior reportedly faced racial abuse.
“There is a lot of work that needs to be done,” Guardiola remarked. “Racism is a pervasive issue. We must invest significantly in education. Teachers and doctors should be viewed as the most critical figures in society, far more than managers.”