Aguero will die scoring goals, says Guardiola

Sergio Aguero's fine display against Brighton won him praise from Pep Guardiola, who also discussed playing Fernandinho at centre-back.

Published : Sep 01, 2019 00:13 IST

Sergio Aguero assisted Bernardo Silva for Manchester City's fourth goal.
Sergio Aguero assisted Bernardo Silva for Manchester City's fourth goal.
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Sergio Aguero assisted Bernardo Silva for Manchester City's fourth goal.

Pep Guardiola hailed Sergio Aguero after Manchester City's thumping 4-0 win over Brighton and Hove Albion, claiming his striker would "die scoring goals".

Aguero netted twice – a strike in each half - as City triumphed at home in the Premier League on Saturday, the Argentina star moving on to six goals in his last four games as well as setting up Bernardo Silva for a late clincher.

Kevin De Bruyne's opener after 68 seconds sent City on their way to a third win in four top-flight matches, with Aguero's exploits winning the praise of his manager.

"Sergio scored goals when he was in Argentina at 16 years old and he will die scoring goals," said Guardiola.

"He is a special talent and I love that he tries to do it. From day one we have changed many things, but I am delighted about his commitment.

"Of course we need his goals, everybody knows it. He helps us a lot with his goals, but even the days he doesn't score, we need the commitment. He is like this from day one, so I'm happy for him. 

"The game was tough, if we analyse the result it was 4-0 but the performance was not because Brighton did really well. Few teams come here to play with this courage. 

"My players up front are incredibly good and they make the difference. Managers like Graham Potter are good for football."

Aymeric Laporte left the pitch on a stretcher with what appeared to be a serious knee injury in the first half, leaving Fernandinho to replace him and play at centre-back.

The midfielder may need to get used to that for the time being, as Nicolas Otamendi is the only fit senior centre-back on City's books, with John Stones not fully recovered from a thigh problem heading into the Champions League group stages.

Guardiola said of Fernandinho: "He is a holding midfielder, everyone knows it, me included, but I think he has the conditions to play there [at centre-back].

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"The problems we have there is a situation which he is going to adapt to. He is intelligent, fast, strong in the headers and, in the build-up, he has the quality to see what happens in front. 

"He can play in both positions. [But play there] for the rest of his career, I don't know."

As well as praising Brighton's tactics after the match, Guardiola added he could learn a lot from Potter, who also caused City problems in the FA Cup while at Swansea City last season.

Brighton boss Potter said: "The result is not something we are enjoying but the performance of the players was one I thought of real courage, some good play, their application was fantastic. 

"We had a setback very early in the game which was not what you want but they carried on with great resilience. Congratulations to City for winning the game and congratulations to our team for doing exactly what we asked them."

-Laporte injury 'does not look good'-

Guardiola expects Laporte to be out for a significant period, explaining the Manchester City defender's injury "does not look good".

Laporte left the field on a stretcher after suffering a knee problem 34 minutes into City's 4-0 home Premier League victory at home to Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday.

The defender, who was called up to the France squad this week, appeared to sustain the injury when he collided with Adam Webster in a challenge for which he was booked.

After the match, Guardiola was waiting for news from the club doctor but suggested Laporte, 25, had been taken to hospital and was likely set for a long spell on the sidelines.

"I think he's gone to hospital," City boss Guardiola said of Laporte, who was replaced by Fernandinho. 

"It doesn't look good. I don't know right now what he has but we will know [Sunday]. They are diagnosing what he has right now and I'm waiting for the doctor to call me.

"He might be out for a while."

Laporte's injury leaves Nicolas Otamendi as the only fit senior centre-back on City's books, with John Stones not fully recovered from a thigh problem heading into the Champions League group stages.

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