Be who we are – Pep | OneFootball

Pep Guardiola has stressed personality and mentality as key attributes for his players to tap into as we start to hit the business end of the 2025/26 season.

Match Report

Marmoush brace fires impressive City into FA Cup quarter-finals

City made it through to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup this weekend courtesy of an emphatic 3-1 triumph at Newcastle United.

Upcoming now are an exciting two-leg Champions League Round of 16 battle with Real Madrid, a colossal Carabao Cup final against Arsenal at Wembley as well as some vital games to decide the destiny of the Premier League crown as we battle the Gunners for glory as part of our assault on four fronts.

Guardiola will clearly want to win these huge games as he eyes a fab finale to the campaign but he’s adamant performances are of the utmost performance in laying the foundations for success.

“It’s a pity the battle for the Premier League is now not in our hands. That is a big drop against Nottingham,” he said.

“But don’t think much, it’s just - OK, now recover and go to Madrid, make a good selection and hopefully we can behave in who were are.

“That’s always been my focus when we play on the biggest stages against the big teams it’s not about win or lose, it’s be who we are as an individual, as a team and after that you never know.

“But just be who we are as a team, that is the main mentality to have in your mind that the players know all the time.”

Recalling the hugely impressive success at Newcastle that kept us competing in a quartet of competitions this term, Guardiola hailed the performances of Nico Gonzalez and Nico O’Reilly as well as expressing his delight at our second half performance on Tyneside.

“He played so good,” the boss said of holding midfielder Nico Gonzalez whose chances have been limited of late with the return to fitness and form of Rodri.

“Nico help us a lot in the absence of Rodri and today back again, I think his partnership with Nico O’Reilly was outstanding both physicality and when they had the ball. It was really, really cool.

“I’m happy because our last three games our second half was quite similar to the first half and all the season we drop quite a lot in the second half and otherwise we would have been in an incredible position in the Premier League.

“But we didn’t because we didn’t have enough tools and the players being available to do some changes.”

Find out more about our new North Stand!

We’ve unveiled our plans for bars and hospitality spaces in the North Stand at the Etihad Stadium.

As previously communicated, the new North Stand concourses will feature large TV screens, upgraded sound systems, and self-service kiosks designed to create an amazing matchday experience.

Seasonal Memberships for both Cross Bar and City Hall are now on sale for the 2026/27 season.

To find out more or enquire about purchasing a Seasonal Membership, follow the link below or call 0161 385 2012.

Enquire now!