The Premier League leaders saw their record 21-game winning
streak ended as they were beaten by rivals Manchester United in Sunday's derby
at the Etihad Stadium.
Asked about the mood in the camp since the weekend, City
manager Guardiola said at his pre-match press conference: "A mix of
disappointment and sadness but, at the same time, the second day a bit better
and today completely on fire to try to do a good game tomorrow.
"It's a normal process when you lose the games. The
reaction is common.
"I prefer if they were a bit, 'OK we lost the game' but
I think everyone realises how difficult it is to win games, to do good runs. We
did it.
"Now (we are) just thinking of the next one. The
Premier league is so complicated, so difficult.
"It is good to realise what they have done and there is
still a lot of work to do to arrive in the last games to be in contention to
win the Premier League."
Guardiola feels it is important the derby defeat is now shut
out of the mind – an attitude he takes after every fixture regardless of
result.
He said: "Every game is forgotten, what we have done
the day before, even when we win. When we lose it is the same.
"We are not going to be depressed if the next games are
not good. It's football, all around the world you lose games.
"The non-normal situation is what we have done. This is
the remarkable thing."
Guardiola dismissed a suggestion his side should brush off
Southampton convincingly given Saints' recent poor form and the fact they have
lost two games 9-0 in the past two seasons.
"We will score 18 – 18-0, this will be the
result," said Guardiola sarcastically.
"What a question! They (conceded) nine when they played
88 minutes 10 against 11.
"Do you think this is a joke? We are going to score
nine goals or 18? Be serious.
"We are just trying to win the game. It would be an
incredible success for us. Win the game, that's all."
City still have an 11-point lead over United at the top of
the table but Guardiola has warned the job is still far from done and their
rivals are still in with a chance.
He said: "When the option is open everything can happen
in football. Nobody thought we could win 21 in a row. Anything can happen.
United can do it.
"We have 10 games left and we have to win six or seven
games to be champions mathematically. We're going to try to win the first one
tomorrow."
Guardiola routinely makes changes and the likes of Phil
Foden and Sergio Aguero could be in contention for starting roles at the Etihad
Stadium on Wednesday.
He said: "Maybe, I will decide tomorrow. I have an idea
in general of the guys who will play but I have a few doubts."
Asked if these were injury doubts, Guardiola said: "No,
everybody is OK."
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