I will play anywhere Pep wants me to, says Gvardiol | OneFootball

Josko Gvardiol says he’s ready to play in any position Pep Guardiola asks him to.

The Croatian arrived at City in the summer of 2023 having starred at centre-back for much of his senior career to that point but has been a revelation at left-back for most of his Etihad stint so far.

As well as being defensively astute, the 23-year-old has proved a potent force in attack too – scoring an incredible 10 goals across 74 games so far.

City v Club Brugge | Match preview

With a host of defensive injuries so far in 2024/25, Gvardiol has been one constant in the City side that has struggled for consistency across the Premier League and Champions League.

Ahead of Wednesday’s must-win clash with Club Brugge, Gvardiol says he’s ready and willing to play anywhere on the pitch if it helps the team.

“I am the one available and whatever he [Pep] wants from me - centre-back, wing-back - I am ready.

“I can see it is difficult for the manager. I said many times that I am a defender. My job is to protect the goal.

WATCH: JOSKO GVARDIOL PRESSER CLUB BRUGGE (H) UCL

“If I find myself at the opposite goal I will do everything to score and help the team in the game.

“I like to play with the ball. The only thing is if I am high it can be difficult to come back and defend.

“We saw this last season, almost on the line and attacking the space in behind. This is familiar to me.

“After the last few weeks, we had to change something [against Chelsea] and that was the idea of the manager and I think it worked. We will see what he prepares for tomorrow.”

After seven matches in the new look Champions League league phase, we have eight points. That has left us 25th in the 36-team table, with only the top 24 progressing in the tournament.

Victory over the Belgian side on Wednesday would take us above our opponents – who are currently placed 20th - at the very least, meaning we'll be in Friday's draw for the play-off stage.

WATCH: Gvardiol's best moments in 2024/25 Premier League so far

Asked what he expects from Club Brugge, Gvardiol was complimentary of our visitors this week.

“I can tell you they are a good team,” he began.

“That’s the reason they are here in the Champions League. It won't be easy. I faced them with Leipzig a couple of years ago and they were really good.

“They like wide wingers and try to play one-v-one so I think it will be a good game. We need to win and we will do everything to win it.

“I have seen this season many times teams come to Etihad and try to defend for 90 minutes. It is difficult for us to get through this but we will see tomorrow.”

City v Club Brugge APP COVERAGE

Our official app allows you to follow all of the action from the Etihad in one place.

Minute-by-minute text updates will begin in our Matchday Centre two hours before kick-off, while live audio commentary will be provided by Alistair Mann and former City midfielder Michael Brown .

They will guide you through the game from kick off,  while the text commentary continues.

Make sure to have push notifications turned on as well, so you can be alerted to key moments in the action, including goals, red cards and, ahead of the game, the team news.

This week, we have a special Matchday Live show for the fans which will begin later at approximately 19:30 (UK). The show will feature live reactions and analysis from our pundits throughout the entire match.

Cel Spellman will present the action, while former players Nedum Onuoha and Steph Houghton will be joined by EDS head coach Ben Wilkinson as the guests, offer their expert insight before, during and after the action.

Highlights from the match, as well as a full-match replay [available on CITY+] will also be available after the game has finished.