Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola spoke to the Brazilian media following the 3-0 win over Olympiacos in the Champions League last night.
One of the subjects was obviously the return of Gabriel Jesus. The striker had only played the opening Premier League fixture in September, and was working on his recovery from an injury since then.
Since Sergio Aguero is also sidelined, Pep Guardiola talked about the importance of having the Brazilian back in the team.
“Yes, very important. Ferran has helped us a lot, we are waiting for Sergio, but Gabriel has returned with a great goal, playing very well,” Pep Guardiola told Esporte Interativo.
“Last season, he finished fantastically good. He’s an impressive player. So I’m really happy that he came back and now we have another player on the boat.
“He’s a fighter, moves a lot, creates many passes for his teammates and evidently scores goals. To come back after so long injured, in the first match scoring this great goal, this is very good.”
Pep Guardiola was also asked if he’s following Domenec Torrent, who was his assistant coach for years, including at Manchester City, and is currently the manager of Flamengo.
Besides speaking of the relationship they have, Guardiola also made some complaints of the way managers have to work these days.
“Yes, but only the results. I couldn’t see matches. We are in contact, I send messages, we speak from time to time. I know he has achieved good results, the other day he lost at home, but we have talking about what all others do. That there’s no time to train, that there’s only time for recovery for the matches, that there’s nothing to improve the team.
“We survive. Our coaching job is now office, to select, and nothing more. Everywhere is the same. Today there are no coaches, we are managers of players who are not injured. There is little time to do anything. And everything is pre-game and recovery, pre-game and recovery, so it’s very difficult for the coach to do things so that the team improves. But Dome has a lot of quality and the team have had very good results.”
Manchester City now have three wins in three games in the Champions League. They now face Liverpool for the Premier League on Sunday, and then have a two-week rest due to the international break.
