Soccer

Guardiola calls for home supporters to rally to the cause

Champions’ title defence moves into crucial final period with the visit of Sam Allardyce’s Leeds

Pep Guardiola with Ilkay Gundogan: 'We have just two games at home – Leeds and Chelsea – and we need our people.' Photograph: Martin Rickett/PA Wire
Pep Guardiola with Ilkay Gundogan: 'We have just two games at home – Leeds and Chelsea – and we need our people.' Photograph: Martin Rickett/PA Wire
Jamie Jackson
Fri May 05 2023 - 22:30

Pep Guardiola has urged Manchester City fans to cut short celebrations of King Charles III’s coronation to support the team in Saturday’s meeting with Leeds, as their title defence moves into its final five games.

City are one point ahead of Arsenal, who have played a match more, as they chase a hat-trick of championships. King Charles is due at Westminster Abbey for an 11am ceremony and to be at Buckingham Palace for a 2.30pm flypast. Guardiola is conscious of the coronation but wants supporters to attend the visit of Leeds, who will be managed by Sam Allardyce for the first time.

“Please tomorrow, come at 3pm if you don’t have anything better to do,” the manager said. “There are important things in this country but anyway, if you don’t have anything more then come and help us because we need it. We have just two games at home – Leeds and Chelsea – and we need our people.”

Of his players, Guardiola said: “There is no time to keep something in the fridge – we have to give everything; it’s so close. So close in the Premier League and finishing the season.

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“We still have one game in hand, important, tough games. Yesterday we saw Brighton [beat Manchester United] and we still have to go there. I was really impressed at how they played against a top opponent.”

Kalvin Phillips has not started a league match since joining from Leeds last summer. Guardiola stated the emphasis was on the midfielder to prove himself.

“It belongs to the players,” he said. “They have to convince themselves and the team and not because I say something it’s going to happen. They have to earn my confidence. All of them, not just Kalvin, all of them, how they perform.

“I’m not complaining about Kalvin because when you don’t play much it’s difficult to take the rhythm. John [Stones], we’re seven years together, Rodri is five or six [four] years together. I don’t have to tell them anything. Just little details – a movement here or there.”

Guardian