Tuesday, March 9, 2021 at 4:09 PM• Mart Oude Nijeweeme • Last update: 16:26

Josep Guardiola reacted with irritation on Tuesday afternoon to a question in the run-up to the game with Southampton on Wednesday. The Manchester City manager was asked during the press conference about the encounter with the number fourteen of the Premier League, referring to Manchester United’s previous 9-0 victory over Southampton. The Spanish coach was clearly not pleased with that.

When asked whether Guardiola, like United, would also score nine times against Southampton, he responded firmly. “No eighteen, we are going to score eighteen times. We are going to win 18-0. That will be the result. What a question.” The journalist in question ignited the fire by citing the monster victory of fellow townsman United. The team of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer won 9-0 against Southampton in February and thus booked a victory with such figures for the second time in history. Previously, the team did that in 1995, when Ipswich Town was put to the slaughter.

“They gave up nine because they played with ten men for almost ninety minutes,” Guardiola argues United’s victory. “Do you think this is a joke? That we will score nine or eighteen times tomorrow? Come on, be serious. We want to win that game, that’s all. ” City saw an end to a series of 21 wins in a row on Sunday, when United was too strong at the Etihad Stadium with 0-2. The lead of Guardiola’s team is therefore still eleven points. In addition, City are on their way to the quarter-finals of the Champions League, as the team defends a 2-0 lead against Borussia Mönchengladbach in the return game.

Guardiola was also asked about Sergio Agüero and Phil Foden. Agüero’s season is characterized by a mix of injuries and illness. The 32-year-old Argentinian, who will be out of his contract with City this summer, has remained on the bench for the past two games. Foden has also not been sure of a basic place in recent weeks, it seems. Guardiola did not want to get ahead of ourselves. “I will decide tomorrow (Wednesday, ed.) Who will play. I have a reasonable idea of ​​who will play, but I still have a number of doubts. Tomorrow I will make a decision. ”