Guardiola: City players ‘need a break’ after Olympiakos victory

James Holland
Guardiola

Man City boss Pep Guardiola thinks his players ‘need a break’ following their 3-0 victory over Olympiakos in the Champions League.

Recent signing Ferran Torres continued his good run of form with a goal in the 12th-minute.

It then took the home side until the 81st-minute before they doubled their lead.


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Gabriel Jesus got the goal on his return to the City first team.

The Brazilian managed to take on the defender before nearly reaching the byline. He thundered a right-footed shot past the keeper into the roof of the net.

Joao Cancelo made it 3-0 in the 90th-minute to ensure all three points for Guardiola’s side.

Speaking after the match, Guardiola told reporters: “The forecast in the next three days says it will be sunny in Manchester. It’s rare. We’re going to have tomorrow off. After that on Friday and Saturday we’ll prepare for the Liverpool game. But the players need a break.”

When asked about the performance, he said: “In the first half we played really well. In the second half we struggled for some moments but when we scored the second one it was over.

“We’ve had a good three games, nine points. We need three more points or one more point to qualify. We have five days to recover for Liverpool and then the international break.

“They had one or two chances [to equalise]. When we controlled in the way we control, we cannot finish games – we struggle with the second goal – but finally with an incredible goal from Gabriel Jesus and then from Joao Cancelo we win the game.

“John Stones is back, an incredible performance. Almost perfect. It’s not easy when you’re a long time without playing.”

There are no Arsenal, Chelsea or Manchester City representatives in our rundown of the top ten players of the season. Nor Manchester United, of course, but Jay Rodriguez gets in?!