Pep: I was drunk as a player too
City boss Guardiola admits doing what Rooney did, but urges responsibility
CRYSTAL PALACE v MAN CITY
(Tonight, 11pm, Singtel TV Ch 102 & StarHub TV Ch 227)
Been there, done that.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola admitted yesterday that he had also been drunk on international duty before, in the wake of Wayne Rooney's post-match drinking session after the Scotland game, which saw the Manchester United striker come under severe criticism.
When asked about Rooney's situation at last night's pre-match press conference, Guardiola was careful not to be embroiled in the controversy, although he added that players must take responsibility for their actions.
Said Guardiola: "I was an international player during my time as a player and sometimes, I was drunk as well.
"I was lucky there were no pictures. You (journalists) have been drunk as well. I was responsible, you are responsible, Wayne is responsible as well.
"I don't think the (England Football Association) has to be responsible about that. We are people, we are old enough to take our responsibilities.
"I have a lot of respect for Wayne Rooney, about his career, as a human being. Private life is the private life, I don't have comments about that."
On tonight's game against Crystal Palace, Guardiola was happy to report that none of his 12 players who were on international duty came back injured, although some of them are tired.
"All the players came back good, fit. The players who played 90 minutes are tired, especially the South American players, but that is normal and tomorrow we are going to decide."
BEWARE
The Spaniard said he is expecting a tough outing at Selhurst Park, as Palace "cross a lot of balls" and Benteke is "unstoppable" in the box.
With a Champions League game against Borussia Moenchengladbach coming up next Thursday morning (Singapore time), Guardiola hinted that he will rest some players tonight.
He said: "When some of them come back from the national team, their regeneration is quicker than others, for the physical condition, for many, many things.
"We have a game and a final in Germany in three or four days and three days later, we have Burnley, so everyone is going to play."
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