How much significance do we attach to Pep's comments in his press conference about Sarri and Chelsea? Was he just being nice, or was he being genuine?
To summarise I recall two subjects:
1) Pep said that as manager of MCFC in his first season he knew his job was safe. There was no doubt. The players knew he was manager of MCFC, and would remain manager of Manchester City. At Chelsea, Conte wins the title and the next season questions are asked.
This is not word for word but it is clear that Pep here is arguing that his authority with the players was never in doubt because of the structure and support of the club. It CFC it feels different and this has become a big problem for them,
2) He feels that CFC actually played quite well in aspects of their game against City. But City were so so clinical and goals change games. Sergio scored an amazing goal etc.
I actually agree with this. Some of Chelsea's attacking play when they were still in the game was very good and they created opportunities against us. Football can be like this. You can play to a very high standard and lose. I remember our game at Stamford Bridge. First half we were very very good apart from finishing. We end up losing because CFC are so clinical with their first attack.
3) I also liked Pep's comments about how players react to defeat and how he doesn't like to play a side back to back especially when they have been heavily beaten.
To summarise I recall two subjects:
1) Pep said that as manager of MCFC in his first season he knew his job was safe. There was no doubt. The players knew he was manager of MCFC, and would remain manager of Manchester City. At Chelsea, Conte wins the title and the next season questions are asked.
This is not word for word but it is clear that Pep here is arguing that his authority with the players was never in doubt because of the structure and support of the club. It CFC it feels different and this has become a big problem for them,
2) He feels that CFC actually played quite well in aspects of their game against City. But City were so so clinical and goals change games. Sergio scored an amazing goal etc.
I actually agree with this. Some of Chelsea's attacking play when they were still in the game was very good and they created opportunities against us. Football can be like this. You can play to a very high standard and lose. I remember our game at Stamford Bridge. First half we were very very good apart from finishing. We end up losing because CFC are so clinical with their first attack.
3) I also liked Pep's comments about how players react to defeat and how he doesn't like to play a side back to back especially when they have been heavily beaten.