'Unbelievable' - Man City boss Pep Guardiola delivers verdict on Regis Le Bris and Sunderland fans
Sunderland host Manchester City in the Premier League on Thursday
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has lauded Sunderland head coach Regis Le Bris for the work that he has done on Wearside this season, while also reserving high praise for the home support at the Stadium of Light.
The Premier League title contenders travel to the North East on New Year’s Day looking to subject the Black Cats to a second defeat at their hands in less than a month. The two clubs previously met at the Etihad in early December, with goals from Ruben Dias, Josko Gvardiol, and Phil Foden sealing a 3-0 victory for the hosts.
Since that defeat, Sunderland have remained unbeaten in the league, recording a memorable Wear-Tyne Derby win over Newcastle United, as well as draws against Brighton and Hove Albion. As a consequence, the Black Cats now sit seventh in the table, with 28 points from their opening 18 top flight fixtures.
And in his pre-match press conference on Wednesday afternoon, Guardiola wasted little time in hailing Le Bris and his team for their stellar start to the new campaign.
What did Man City boss Pep Guardiola say about Sunderland ahead of Premier League clash?
Addressing the media, Guardiola said: “We faced them a few weeks ago. Obviously, it is an incredible season. After being promoted you can continue with the same group of players that helped you or do what they have done. Fourteen new signings, it’s not easy to assemble everything, and Regis has done it really, really, really well. Tomorrow is the last game of the first leg [of the season], without [City] playing against Chelsea, but [Sunderland] being in that position, speaks for itself.”
The City boss was also asked about Sunderland’s admirable home record, with the Black Cats still yet to lose at the Stadium of Light this season despite having hosted several high profile opponents.
In response, he said: “That means it is tough. The crowd is always... I remember my first season when I went there - the crowd is unbelievable. They have beaten Newcastle. Arsenal and Aston Villa couldn’t win there. So yeah, really good results. It will be completely different there, but at the same time, we are ready.”
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Elsewhere, Guardiola also provided a fitness update on his squad ahead of their clash with Sunderland. He added: “Rodri has come back. Maybe he can play a few minutes. We’re looking forward to it desperately. Doku, maybe. John [Stones] and Oscar [Bobb], no.
“We have seven [absent] players, two at the African Cup [of Nations] and five players injury coming back a little bit, so in terms of squad, we are not at our best right now. It is tighter, but obviously, in terms of points, we are better than last season.”
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