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Claude Puel heaps praise on Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola

By Chris Hughes

Southampton's French manager Claude Puel looks on during the English FA Cup fourth round football match between Southampton and Arsenal at St Mary's in Southampton, southern England on January 28, 2017. / AFP / Adrian DENNIS / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo credit should read ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images)
Southampton's French manager Claude Puel looks on during the English FA Cup fourth round football match between Southampton and Arsenal at St Mary's in Southampton, southern England on January 28, 2017. / AFP / Adrian DENNIS / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo credit should read ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images) /
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In his pre-match press conference ahead of Southampton’s game against Manchester City this Saturday, Saints manager Claude Puel had nothing but kind words for Pep Guardiola.

This Easter weekend Southampton face off against The Citizens, in what could prove a vital set of points for both sides.

The Saints could close the gap on West Brom in eighth, whilst Man City need the win in order to keep their four-point buffer on rivals Manchester United beneath them.

The two sides drew in the reverse fixture back in October, with Nathan Redmond on target for the Saints. In his pre-match press conference though, Claude Puel has spoken highly of his opposite number.

He said: “Of course, to play against a great manager is very interesting. I think Pep Guardiola changed all of football and gave more opportunities for trainers to think about their football, like recovering the ball high up the pitch.”

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – APRIL 08: Josep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City gestures during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Hull City at Etihad Stadium on April 8, 2017 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – APRIL 08: Josep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City gestures during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Hull City at Etihad Stadium on April 8, 2017 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) /

The two managers have in fact faced off before they joined their respective Premier League teams however, when Puel’s Lyon faced Guardiola’s Barcelona way back in 2009.

The two teams drew 1-1 in France, but Pep’s men ran riot in the game at the Camp Nou, winning 5-2 thanks to a brace from none other than Thierry Henry.

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Puel, 55, continued to heap praise on the Spaniard, who had guided his side to an unbeaten start when the two teams met earlier this season.

He said: “I have a lot of respect for Pep. He has a philosophy of football that I like. I like when the team tries to have possession and to give always the good response on the game, with quality.”

In addition to his comments about the former Bayern Munich coach, Puel also gave Southampton fans a reason to smile, as he confirmed that Manolo Gabbiadini was available for selection this weekend.

Despite winning back-to-back games the Saints have struggled up front since the Italian was sidelined with an injury, but now the 25-year-old can add to his already impressive goal tally.

Prior to coming off early against Tottenham, the  ex-Napoli man had scored in seven straight games for his former and current team.

Southampton’s game against Manchester City is this Saturday is the later kick-off with a start time of around 5:30 PM.

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