The Man City head coach strongly react to the fans in the minimum victory over Newcastle, in the second round of the English Premier League.

Pep Guardiola praised Man City’s bravery and winning mentality for the 3-point achievement they got against Newcastle, just over 2 days after they won the European Super Cup in Greece.

During the match, Pep Guardiola did not make any substitutions. This is the first time since May 2022 that he has done the same.

Man City faced a challenge at the beginning of the new season with the play-maker De Bruyne recurring a hamstring injury, having surgery and sitting out for about 4 months, while Bernardo Silva missed the last 2 matches due to illness.

Previously, the defending champion also bid farewell to captain Gundogan (to Barca) and Riyad Mahrez to Saudi Arabia.

Perhaps because of impatience when the home team led with a fragile 1-0 score, while Newcastle clearly showed their determination to find an equalizer, a fan sitting near the direction of Man City asked the captain to substitute.

Pep Guardiola replied harshly: “If you are good, come down here and do it. I don’t know who to replace”.

The Spanish leader explained his decision after the match: “I see that the team is still fighting and playing well. As coaches, we have the right to make substitutions but we will decide to use it or not.”

Julian Alvarez scored the only goal to bring a 1-0 victory, ensuring Man City started winning after 2 Premier League matches. Pep Guardiola praised the winning spirit of the whole team:

“This is only the second game of the season but it shows why we have won so much. The mindset and spirit of this group of players amaze me every time.

Man City faced Newcastle in the context of many losses due to injuries, without rest, but the team played really well. The way they defend, run and fight hard is amazing.

We deserved to win and could have scored more goals.

The difference for the winning teams is the mentality. Man City players have done it for years and today showed it again.

We Man City are not in the best shape right now, there are 5-6 important players on the sidelines. But the Premier League BTC decided to let us play today, okay we accept being made difficult.”