Pressure is to win the next game, we can’t think ahead of the next or about other teams if they’re good in all departments, they’ll still be there.
Kevin De Bruyne is available for selection against Tottenham in the Premier League tomorrow, according to Pep Guardiola.
After missing Tuesday’s training session, Manchester City captain De Bruyne raised concerns that he would be absent from the must-win game against Tottenham Hotspur.
Guardiola however revealed that De Bruyne had been dealing with a personal issue during his pre-match press conference, but insisted the City captain is available for the game against the champions’ bogey team.
With a win against a team still reeling from Sunday’s north London derby defeat, City can close the gap on leaders Arsenal to five points.
Tottenham won both games against City last season, but the reigning champions will be boosted by the return of John Stones and Ruben Dias, who both missed Saturday’s loss to Manchester United at Old Trafford.
‘He [De Bruyne] was not training due to a personal matter. ‘He’s back today,’ said Guardiola.
‘They [Dias and Stones] were in the last two training sessions, they trained, and they are in contention,’ says the coach.
With Arsenal in such form, City cannot afford another slip-up, and Guardiola admits he cannot afford to be relaxed about the situation at the top of the table, despite the Gunners’ lack of title-winning experience.
‘It’s better [to be eight points ahead] because you can drop points,’ he admitted. ‘You cannot drop points if you are behind.
‘Pressure is to win the next game, we can’t think ahead of the next or about other teams if they’re good in all departments, they’ll still be there.
‘They [Arsenal] are so far better than us. There are numerous games ahead. Liverpool were once top in recent years with 8 points so instead, focus on the next game and see what happens.
#ManchesterCity have been in this position [in the #PL] numerous times before. I’ve never been relaxed, even when I was eight points ahead.’