Stress is sometimes motivation.
This weekend's league, Manchester City's title rivals in the Premier League and Champions League, liverpool and Real Madrid who came out first, all won, leaving the pressure on Manchester City. Liverpool rotated five people, with The General Keita's goal, beat Newcastle 1-0 away to return to the top of the table, while Real Madrid rotated 8 people, beat Espanyol 4-0 at home, won the La Liga title four rounds earlier, morale is high, and they are waiting for Manchester City with confidence.
Under pressure from rivals, Manchester City rushed to the Erland Road stadium to challenge Leeds United. After Jesse Marsh took office, he led Leeds United to remain unbeaten with 3 wins and 2 draws in the last 5 rounds of the Premier League, and the rebound momentum was obvious, but it was only 5 points higher than the relegation zone (1 more game), and the relegation pressure remained. Obviously, this game is not a small test for Guardiola.
Now that Klopp and Ancelotti have made significant rotations, Guardiola has not spared much, and even in the face of double-line pressure, he still rotates five people, including the attacking core De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva.
Jesse Marsh's defensive-dominated 5-4-1 was another test of Guardiola's ability to tackle the tough.
After the opening, Manchester City rebounded mainly and attacked aggressively, and Leeds United tightened their formation and resisted with all their might. Even so, Leeds United's goal was soon lost under City's onslaught. In the 13th minute, City won a free kick opportunity on the left side, Foden passed the ball into the box, and Rodri broke the deadlock with a hammer.
It started well, back at the top of the table, Guardiola suddenly relaxed a lot, with leeds United's attacking strength, it is difficult to break through The Manchester City's defense.
But the white rose's counterattack still made Blue Moon feel shocked, not because of how sharp its attack was, but because the fight under the pressure of relegation made Blue Moon soldiers fall to the ground frequently. The injury time in the first half was actually 4 minutes long, which shows how fierce the fight between the two sides is.
The 1-0 score was delicate and City, while in control, could not keep Leeds United out of the way. Therefore, scoring the second goal to seal the victory as soon as possible will be the key for Manchester City to reduce consumption and fight real Madrid.
In the 54th minute, Foden fired a corner kick, Diaz nodded the ball back from a distance and Acker scored low from near post to extend the score to 2-0. Guardiola's hanging heart completely landed, and the 2-goal lead meant that 3 points were safe and secure, and they could safely prepare for the second leg of the showdown with Real Madrid.
Seeing the teammates in the back line building up one after another, Manchester City's attack group finally couldn't hold back. In the 78th minute, Foden sped away with the ball and sent a delicate direct pass in the right time, and Jesus rushed to score his sixth goal in the last three games.
The overall situation has been decided, there is no more suspense, Guardiola will change horses, ready to collect troops. But substitute veteran captain Fernandinho's long-range shot from outside the box in injury time once again pierced through Ilan Messler's goal, locking in a 4-0 run.
Easily regaining the top spot and declaring Real Madrid with the same 4-0 score, De Bruyne and Mahrez were given plenty of rest, and City still maintained their hopes of winning the Premier League and Champions League double-line.
But for Manchester City, the remaining 5 (or 6) games of the season will be the final, whether it is the Premier League defending or the Champions League to win, Manchester City has no way back, as Guardiola said before and now: Manchester City, must win all.
Yes, it's all on your own, it's all about your strength! Guardiola is a real temperament, a real man!