Guardiola praises Man City for ‘complicated’ FA Cup run

Manchester City are facing a week that will “define their season”, according to manager Pep Guardiola.

The England worldwide was effectively frozen out because, in the view of Guardiola, he is not suited to a possession-based style of football.

Silva then failed to hit the target when set up by Sterling in the area before John Stones came to City’s rescue with a goal-line clearance at the other end. We would have liked to have scored more goals but to be at Wembley in a semi-final, we’re delighted.

“We only have two days now and we have another (FA Cup) game – and another one away because we have never played at home in the cup this season – and we have to use all the players”. The people tell me it’s lovely to play a semi at Wembley.

“I don’t really care what the critics say, because I’m my own biggest critic”.

Knowing Middlesbrough have a shortage of defenders, Pep should have his players attack early and try to draw the team into card trouble early.

“I think the average is quite similar for the whole season”.

“You can’t forget we were playing one of the best teams in the league and Champions League”.

Argentine star Sergio Aguero, 28, goes into this game with five goals from his past three outings yet speculation continues that he could be leaving in the summer. “The important thing is that they don’t create too many chances”.

It’s worth noting that Karanka hasn’t been on great terms with the former Barcelona boss in the past as they have clashed on numerous occasions when they were both still plying their trade in La Liga.

Pep Guardiola is heading to Wembley with Manchester City after the Blues brushed Middlesbrough aside at the Riverside.

They may have kept a club-record sixth consecutive clean sheet away from home, but frailties remain for Manchester City.

Boro coach Aitor Karanka was disappointed but upbeat about a dogged display which could be the springboard for Premier League survival. “I knew that in August”, added Guardiola, who guided Barcelona to two Champions League trophies in 2009 and 2011.

“I get excited a lot about going to Wembley because I remember the old and the new stadium”.