Pep Guardiola addressed the media on Monday ahead of Manchester City’s Champions League clash against RB Leipzig this week.
The European champions have won all four group-games so far this season and need just a point against the German side to secure top spot. City should feel confident ahead of the encounter and have scored 13 goals across two previous home games against Leipzig, including the 7-0 win in March en route to winning the competition.
Guardiola implied after Saturday’s draw against Liverpool that City would rotate their team in the midst of a busy period of the season, but on Monday the 52-year underlined the importance of gaining top spot in the group.
The City boss also gave a touching tribute to former Barcelona manager Terry Venables following his sad passing on Sunday. Guardiola was a ball-boy at the Nou Camp during Venables' time in Catalonia and was asked about his memories of the former England manager.
Elsewhere, Guardiola gave an update on the latest team news and reacted to Kevin De Bruyne revealing that he will back in January following a long-term hamstring injury.
Guardiola also gave his view on Josko Gvardiol's development as a defender, whether he'd consider signing a new contract at City, and his thoughts on the emergence of new fans at the Etihad.
Here are the main bits from Guardiola’s pre-match press conference…
1. On Terry Venables
"As a Barcelona fan he gave us La Liga 11 or 12 years. His impact there was incredible there. He introduced something that had never been before, especially a certain type of pressing and the set-pieces. I remember how many goals our central defender scored. He introduced many many things. A true gentleman, I was a ball-boy so I wasn't in contact with him, I just gave the ball to his players. Unfortunately, he could not win the Champions League in that time, with the final against Steaua Bucharest but it's a big loss for English football and for his family, for his wife. I read a lot in this past 24 hours, how many players talk about him from the national team and former players. It is really impressive and big condolences to all his family."
2. On statue to Colin Bell, Francis Lee and Mike Summerbee
"It shows how good the club is with three legendary, unbelievable people. Mike Summerbee will be there and he will be incredibly satisfied with the recognition not just for him but for Colin Bell and Francis Lee. It will be perfect for all the families. How many clubs have this thing and don't do it, so we are incredibly fortunate."
3. Selecting a strong team
"We have to win or draw. The first step is done for both sides, so congratulations to RB Leipzig to qualify for the next round in February. It is important to finish first. We believe that when we play the last-16, the second leg at home is not decisive, but is an advantage and we have to take it."
4. Team news
"We have training now but we will see this afternoon. We will do the second day of recovery, we won't do absolutely anything. I'm not optimistic about some people coming back but we will see this afternoon. I think it will be the same people who played against Liverpool. John Stones is getting better. He's not for playing but maybe a few minutes in the next one, but he's really really close to coming back, which is incredibly good news.”