“I lost the weight I gained over Christmas,” Guardiola shared with TNT Sports after the match. “I’m fit again. What a strong team Sean Dyche has built. That was a crucial three points for us.
“[Forest] play incredibly well. Igor wins so many balls. They have a top-quality squad. This team has played in the Champions League and is now competing in European tournaments. It’s a tough place to play, especially in winter.
“We emphasized this with our players in the days leading up to the match. In winter at Nottingham Forest, you need to be focused. If we aren’t prepared, we won’t win. The mentality was excellent, and I’m really proud of the team.”
When asked about the changes from the first half to the second, he said: “There were too many players behind the ball and not enough movement. When we shifted our play inside and outside, we created chances.”
Guardiola also acknowledged assistant Pep Lijnders, noting their shared celebrations after the goals.
“He is outstanding,” he remarked. “He’s a top manager. Some may see him as just an assistant, but maybe I’m his assistant. We discussed things at halftime and adjusted our formation slightly.”
Guardiola concluded: “We’ve played 18 games, completing the first half of the season. We know the second half will be challenging with many tough matches ahead. The Premier League is getting tougher, but it’s crucial to stay in the race. Winning or losing today doesn’t determine everything; there are many games left to play.”
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