Pep Guardiola says Manchester City are over the Manchester United defeat and have turned their attention to the Champions League match tonight.
The coach insisting his players were fully focused on securing a top-eight finish in Europe.
City were beaten 2-0 at Old Trafford on Saturday, but speaking in Norway ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League trip to Bodo/Glimt, Guardiola made it clear the loss had already been parked.
“We’re immediately thinking about this different competition, the chance we have to finish in the top eight,” Guardiola told reporters. “I think we didn’t talk one word about United. I didn’t review the game, but I know they were better.
“When a team is better, you just have to congratulate them, improve, and move on.”
City sit fourth in the Champions League table on 13 points. Victory against Bodo/Glimt in their penultimate league-phase match would leave them well placed to qualify automatically for the last 16.
Guardiola contrasted City’s current position with last season’s campaign, when they only reached the knockout rounds via the play-offs. “Last season at this stage we lost in Paris and had to fight to get through,” he said. “Today we have 13 points and the chance to qualify in the top eight. That is enough argument to focus on tomorrow, not the past.”
Preparation has been slightly different in Norway, with City training at Bodo’s Aspmyra Stadium to adjust to the artificial surface. “They have to see how the ball bounces and how it feels for short and long passes,” Guardiola explained. “Life is never a red carpet. How quickly you adjust decides how close you are to success.”
Guardiola confirmed Phil Foden is available despite suffering broken bones in his hand against United and will wear protection. He also welcomed new signing Marc Guehi, who arrived from Crystal Palace to bolster an injury-hit defence.
“He is a top central defender,” Guardiola said. “With the problems we have at the back, it’s really important he is here.”
