Guardiola Praises Resilient Southampton in Hard-Fought Manchester City Victory
Pep Guardiola had high praise for Southampton’s resilience, emphasizing how Russell Martin’s bottom-of-the-league side gave Manchester City a tough test in their narrow 1-0 win.
Southampton’s Premier League journey has been rocky, with a winless record since promotion and a recent last-minute loss to Leicester. When Erling Haaland struck early in the fifth minute, it seemed like City might dominate. But Southampton, led by a determined Martin, stuck to their game plan, making life difficult for the champions at the Etihad.
Reflecting on the match, Guardiola told Sky Sports, “Today, it wasn’t about how (Southampton) defended deep but how they moved with the ball, with the keeper. It’s a good game to learn as a manager. I’m going to learn a lot from Russell because they did really well. We were humble and accepted that.”
Guardiola’s candid remarks about Southampton’s style stood out, as he even praised specific details of their approach. “I’m a big believer in the process of building up,” he said. “I prefer players to get the ball to their feet, not to their teeth. They showed incredible discipline. We weren’t sloppy or flat, but we struggled to regain the ball because they’re really good.”
The City boss also shared his admiration for Southampton’s tactical movements. “I’m a spectator too. When I see an opponent doing things I try to teach my team, and doing it well, I respect that. They have movements that connect with the striker, pulling players to one side to open up space.
“It’s not easy, but we still created enough chances to secure a win. I’m pleased we won this way, as we’ve seen in our recent games against Wolves and Southampton. These teams may be lower in the table, but they show just how challenging every match in the Premier League is.”
Guardiola wrapped up with a note on the importance of respecting every opponent. “In this league, anyone can beat anyone – that’s the reality. Every game is a battle. I have no complaints about my team because we faced a strong opponent. You have to respect that, and today, we did.”
