MX23RW : Thursday, May 25 05:01:50| >> :120:20547:20547:
[monks data]
Manchester City logo
Premier League | Gameweek 28
Jun 17, 2020 at 8.15pm UK
Etihad Stadium
Arsenal logo
Man City
3 - 0
Arsenal
Sterling (45+2'), De Bruyne (51' pen.), Foden (90+1')
Rodri (79')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Tierney (76')

Pep Guardiola calls for matches to be suspended rather than played without fans

Pep Guardiola calls for matches to be suspended rather than played without fans
© Reuters
The likelihood of matches in Britain being played without fans is growing as the coronavirus crisis continues to worsen.

Pep Guardiola claims it makes "no sense" to play behind closed doors and would rather have games suspended.

The likelihood of matches in Britain being played without fans is growing as the coronavirus crisis continues to worsen.

With this already happening elsewhere in Europe, Manchester City boss Guardiola feels it is inevitable Premier League games will be similarly affected.

Guardiola said: "We are conscious of it because it has happened already in Italy. The league is suspended and in Spain the next two weeks are behind closed doors. It is going to happen here.

"The other issue you have to ask is, is it worse to play football without the spectators? We do our job for the people and if the people cannot come to watch us, there is no sense.

"I would not love to play matches in the Premier League or Champions League or the cups without the people.

"If without people I would prefer not to play, definitely. We are here for the people. Of course if it is for one or two games I could understand but if it is longer, there is no sense.

"But when UEFA or the government say you have to play without spectators, then we are going to play without spectators."

Guardiola is unsure whether playmaker Kevin De Bruyne will be fit to feature in Wednesday's rearranged Premier League game against Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium.

The Belgium international has missed City's last two games with a shoulder injury but is back in training.

"Kevin (has been) training the last two days but I don't know if he'll be able to play tomorrow," he said.

The match will bring Guardiola up against his former number two Mikel Arteta, who left City in December to take over at the Gunners.

Guardiola said: "I'm looking forward (to it) a lot. I said three or four years ago, when we started together, I was convinvced he would be a manager when the right opportunity came.

"I would say he's done incredibly well. His ideas are already implemented, already in the team and his positional game is getting better every day.

"To do that in a short time is not easy. I'm pretty sure Arsenal will have success in a short time, in the future, with him on the bench."

Guardiola says he is still in regular contact with Artera but he does not give him advice.

He said: "Absolutely not. He's an adult and more than prepared. He doesn't need advice from me.

"We talk about how everything is, the family, the first days, how he's settling in the team. We talk about normal things. We are friends, ex-colleagues. That is all."

City are hoping to bounce back from Sunday's derby loss to Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Guardiola is backing goalkeeper Ederson, whose errors led to both United goals in the 2-0 defeat.

He said: "He's an extraordinary keeper. You and me, we cannot make mistakes but the players can make mistakes whenever they want. It is how they react and always they react good."

ID:392475: cacheID:392475:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:20428:No Data Analysis info
Latest coronavirus PSA
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Billy Gilmour in action for Chelsea on March 8, 2020
Read Next:
PL Team of the Week: Gilmour, Wan-Bissaka, Milner
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CManchester CityMan City37285494326289
2Arsenal37256683434081
3Newcastle UnitedNewcastle371913567323570
4Manchester UnitedMan Utd36216952411169
5Liverpool37199971432866
6Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton371881171512062
7Aston Villa37177134945458
8Tottenham HotspurSpurs37176146662457
9Brentford371414957461156
10Fulham37157155451352
11Crystal Palace371111153948-944
12Chelsea361110153642-643
13Wolverhampton WanderersWolves37118183153-2241
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham37117194153-1240
15Bournemouth37116203770-3339
16Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest37910183767-3037
17Everton37712183357-2433
18Leicester CityLeicester3787224967-1831
19Leeds UnitedLeeds37710204774-2731
RSouthampton3766253269-3724

Ted Lasso creative

Subscribe to our newsletter


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!