Leeds are 'completely different to other opponents,’ says Pep, and the Manchester City boss advises his players to get the booster jab.
Man City v Leeds - Tue 8pm [GMT]
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is expecting a completely different game when they host Leeds United on Tuesday evening. The Premier League champions will be looking to register their seventh league win on the bounce after their narrow win against Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Etihad on Saturday. Speaking ahead of the clash against Marcelo Bielsa’s Whites, Guardiola said in his press conference: "Before we played against them, we knew it, we felt it. It is one of the toughest opponents. "They play every week in a special unique way and we play against the special and unique way just two times a year. It is completely different to other opponents. "They are going to play in a way we are not used to in these kinds of games. At the same time, it is at the Etihad, we know a lot of people will be there and we want to do a good game tomorrow. "[Patrick] Bamford was injured for a long time now. [Kalvin] Phillips, too. A few important players. But if there is one person who doesn’t complain about what happens, it is Marcelo. He loves to work when the situation is tough." The Cityzens boss also confirmed that his players (aside from Ferran Torres) are ready health-wise for the match tomorrow, and he also insisted that they should all get the booster jabs against Covid-19.
Guardiola urges players to get booster jabs
"We speak with the players every day to say be careful. Stay healthy, wear masks, social distance,” Pep said.
"It's Christmas, the tendency is to party and go out. But the virus is still here. The virus doesn’t allow you to suffer much, but cases rise day by day, so just be careful.
"I am concerned with society and the virus is still here. There are many, some people on the staff here have got it right now. We have told the players to be careful. Unfortunately the new variant and the old variant. Hopefully, 95% of the people are vaccinated. Just be careful.
On telling players to get the booster, he said: "Absolutely, the doctors suggest they have to do it."
When quizzed about the Champions League draw fiasco, the 50-year-old replied: "I think it makes sense [re-draw]. So there are no suspicions.
"All the opponents are tough. Some say one is better than the other but all are difficult."
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