LONDON • Despite suffering a setback in midweek after losing to Tottenham Hotspur in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final, Manchester City are still on course for an unprecedented quadruple.
So whenever his squad's character is questioned - even when the criticism comes from within - Pep Guardiola has to leap to their defence.
City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan, whose contract expires at the end of next season, was scathing in his assessment of their defeat by Spurs, claiming the visitors were "not brave enough" in north London.
But, ahead of today's Premier League match at Crystal Palace, who beat City 3-2 in the league last December, Guardiola refuted his remarks, insisting that while "he (Gundogan) can say whatever he wants", he "absolutely did not agree" with them.
"We have been for 20 months incredible, two games in the last 24 lost. Twenty months, winning every three days, 180 points over the past two seasons," Guardiola said.
"We had two days' rest, they (Spurs) had six. Unfortunately, we could not score, but we have the second leg (on Wednesday) with our friends at home and we'll go for the semi-finals."
While he remains hopeful of turning things around in the reverse fixture, the title race must first take precedence, and the Spaniard knows that "Selhurst Park is always difficult because of the stadium and the quality of the players".
The City manager said: "We knew it weeks ago, how it would be between these important games. There are six games left (in the league).
"We know what we are playing for and we are going to see."
He also revealed midfielder Bernardo Silva and defender Oleksandr Zinchenko were touch and go for the meeting with Roy Hodgson's men. Silva, whose creativity was sorely missed against Spurs, has been one of City's standout players this term, but Guardiola will not take any chances with his fitness as their campaign draws to a close.
Calling the Portugal international an "incredible player", he added: "We will see today. Playing wide, he is a fighter.
"He's so intelligent and clever defensively. He knows when to cut back inside and, with the ball, he can do anything."
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, REUTERS
CRYSTAL PALACE V MAN CITY
Singtel TV Ch102 & StarHub Ch227, 9.05pm
Bayern Munich star Thomas Muller has expressed his anger following Germany manager Joachim Low's decision to axe both him and two of his World Cup winning team-mates from the national team.
World Cup winner Thomas Muller blasts Loew for 'bad taste
Teenager arrested after calling Huddersfield ace Philip Billing a 'black donkey' on social media. Philip Billing exposed the sick racist abuse condemn the disgraceful abuse that Philip
Huddersfield condemn racially abusive message sent to
Liverpool crushed Arsenal 5-1 to move nine points clear at the top of the Premier League on Saturday but manager Juergen Klopp still would not get involved in any talk of winning the title.
Liverpool`s Klopp Avoids Title Talk despite Arsenal Rout
Barca's Dembele back to training ahead of Man United clash. Published April 4, 2019 April 4, and Ousmane Dembele were back training with the group," the La Liga leaders said on their website.
Football: Barca's Dembele back training ahead of Man United
Giroud eyes Platini's record after scoring again for Les Bleus
Spurs are back in Champions League action at Wembley on Wednesday. Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino says he is "a little disappointed" with the Premier League for making his side play on Sunday
Spurs' Pochettino: I made difficult choice to turn down Real
global.espn.com/football/tottenham-hotspur/story/3846455/spurs-pochettino-i-made-difficult-choice-to-turn-down-real-madrid
Pochettino's side defeated Ajax Amsterdam 3-2 (3-3 on aggregate) in dramatic fashion on Wednesday in their Champions League semifinal second leg, advancing to the June 1 final in Madrid against Liverpool, but the Argentine said he had the chance to move to the Spanish capital permanently.
'Pochettino could be a United manager' - Berbatov - goal.com
A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on December 14, 2018, with the headline 'Eleven Sports hit by poor take-up rate in UK'. Print Edition | Subscribe.
Eleven Sports hit by poor take-up rate in UK - theworldnews.net
REUTERS: Liverpool will be without forwards Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino when they face Barcelona in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final as they look to overturn a 3-0 deficit
Liverpool's Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino ruled out of
Lionel Messi wants Ernesto Valverde to continue as Barcelona coach but admits the team have not recovered from their Champions League loss to Liverpool as they face Valencia in the Copa del Rey final on Saturday. After winning La Liga by 11 points, Barca can complete a domestic double by beating
Messi backs Valverde but admits Barca are still hurting | Sport24
THE NANYANG. CHRONICLE. VOL. NO. 24. 03 16.10.17. ISSN NO. 0218-7310. Taking IKEA by Strรถm. Students play to their beat. In defense of millennials. Students from the School of Art, Design and
Mitra - Find link - edwardbetts.com
edwardbetts.com/find_link/Mitra
Sombhu Mitra (989 words) exact match in snippet view article find links to article Sombhu Mitra (22 August 1915 - 19 May 1997) was an Indian film and stage actor, director, playwright, reciter and an Indian theatre personality, known
Malaysia | Thoughts of a Cynical Investor | Page 2
New Real Madrid tested in Champions League without Ronaldo. The Real Madrid team that will begin its Champions League campaign against Roma on I expect an opponent that is even better than
Sergio Ramos Claims Real Madrid Are Not Much Different
Football news - Wolves deepen Cardiff's relegation plight with 2-0 win. By Reuters. 02/03/2019 at 17:34 Updated 02/03/2019 at 19:01.
Wolves deepen Cardiff's relegation plight with 2-0 win - The
Barcelona Looking for a Solid Display at Anfield The 3-0 victory home gives Barcelona a comfortable platform to progress to the Final of Champions league, their ultimate goal of the season. A t the start of the Season, Lionel Messi made it clear about what remains his and the club's first priority.
Champions League final: Solid defence secures Liverpool win
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Premier League - Manchester City v Arsenal - Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain - February 3, 2019 Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola reacts Action Images via Reut
Football: Guardiola predicts roller-coaster title run-in
