Pep Guardiola might just one day orchestrate something special at Manchester City, but we’re all going to have to be a bit patient and allow him to do so.
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It certainly hasn’t happened over his first summer at the Etihad Stadium, as evidenced in Guardiola’s Premier League debut, a 2-1 home victory over Sunderland which required an early goal via the penalty spot and a late own goal to secure all three points and start the Spaniard’s PL career on a positive note.
Following the game, Guardiola had the following to say of the victory and the debuts of some of his key summer signings — quotes from ESPN FC:
“We definitely deserved the victory. The first games are always difficult. We spoke during this week about what we had to do like a team and we did it.
“Sometimes, you are a little lucky. We should have been a bit more aggressive but these kind of things have to happen to know how to get better in the next game.”
…
“John Stones, Nolito, they were all amazing. We are a team. We fight like a team and they did it. For the new manager, new players, it’s important to believe in what we are doing.
[ FULL RECAP: City win Pep’s PL debut on PK, own goal ]
Altogether, Man City spent $200 million on new players this summer. According to multiple reports, they’re not done yet, with a deal for Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen said to be in the works. Joe Hart, who was dropped to the bench for Saturday’s opener, would then be expected to leave the club before the transfer deadline on Aug. 31.
It could be November or December before the City players begin to truly grasp Guardiola’s footballing ideals. You know, just like every other manager in the history of the game.
