Pep Talk: “They are organised, with a keeper with excellent experience in Pepe Reina....”

Pep Guardiola has spoken ahead of the League Cup final. The game v Aston Villa is soon and he touched on a variety of topics including the team’s mindset and injury updates.

Let’s get to it.

Pep on injuries-

“Laporte has a hamstring injury, it should be three weeks or a month - more or less,” said Guardiola.

“(Is it frustrating?) It is tough, but we have to be calm in the situation. Life is tough. The challenge is to accept it, to work harder and then come back in a better condition.”

Pep on the final/Villa-

“They are organised, with a keeper with excellent experience in Pepe Reina.

“It was a good game when we went there in the league. We will prepare the game tactically, mentally, it is a big opportunity to do something special with our club.

“The result is in the past, we are focusing on the final. It is a different competition

They have won a Champions League and they have a fantastic history. It will be a fantastic game.

“But we want to fight for another trophy.”

“The confidence it is much better, after a good result in Madrid but we cannot go to the final thinking it is done. It is incredibly difficult to beat big clubs twice, it doesn’t often happen,” the City manager added.

”The margin in a knockout competition is so tight. The decisions from Zinedine Zidane (the other evening) were perfect, it is just little things.

“We need to be calm as a team, we know that it is not over. It (the second leg) is in three weeks, before that we have the final, then Sheffield Wednesday in the FA Cup then back in the Premier League.

“We need to stay focused.”

Pep on teams mentality-

“These three guys, their reaction in the locker room – it was exceptional,” said Pep.

“Specifically these three players, their reaction was incredible and I am so proud of them.

“Knowing that they all wanted to play, which I understand completely.

“As for Sergio, I cannot express my gratitude towards him. I say thank you to him for understanding me a little bit and for helping the team.

“For what he has done for this club, for the legend he is, what he is doing for this club and what he will do for us… I know he is ready when I need him

“Their attitude was exceptional, so to David, Sergio and Raheem - I can’t praise them enough,. Gratitude to them. I would like all the players to be like them.”

That is it for this week. Another chance for a trophy. Let’s not take it for granted and go out and finish the job.