Pep Guardiola absent from press conference ahead of Crystal Palace match
Pep Guardiola missed Manchester City’s regular Friday media briefing due to what the club has termed a personal matter, reports BritPanorama.
Scheduled to speak to journalists at the City Football Academy ahead of the Premier League match against Crystal Palace, Guardiola’s absence prompted assistant manager Kolo Toure to step in to address the press.
Toure reassured reporters about Guardiola’s availability for the weekend fixture at Selhurst Park, stating, “Yeah Pep is fine, it’s a small matter that didn’t bring him here but everything is fine. He will be back for sure.”
As Toure made his debut as the team’s spokesperson since joining the first-team coaching staff, he emphasised that Guardiola’s absence from media duties would not affect their preparations for Sunday’s encounter. He confirmed, “Absolutely,” when asked about the manager’s presence on the sidelines during the match.
Toure, who was elevated to his current role last summer and previously worked with the U18s, expressed confidence regarding the Premier League title race, noting that City trails Arsenal by just two points. “I think for us we just focus on what we can do. We know the quality of Arsenal, they have a really strong squad and a fantastic manager, but it is all down to us,” he added.
He praised Guardiola, asserting, “We have the best manager in the world who is doing an incredible job every day.” Toure insisted that City is not focusing on Arsenal’s performance. “Every game is like a final for us,” he remarked.
City enters the match with momentum, having secured a 2-1 victory against Real Madrid in the Champions League on Wednesday. A win against Crystal Palace could see City rise to the top of the Premier League table, should Arsenal falter against Wolves on Saturday. Toure was optimistic about the team’s recent improvements, particularly in their physicality and competitiveness. “The team is growing and getting better every single game, every single day. That is what we want,” he observed.
In a league where every detail matters, the stakes remain high, as Guardiola’s strategic insights could be pivotal in the chase for the title. With Toure’s calm assurance, City appears poised for a significant challenge this weekend, a match that underscores the relentless drive of elite football.
