The Blues have had the rare luxury of a full week to prepare to face Roberto De Zerbi’s side since last Sunday’s trip to Liverpool.
We suffered our first defeat of the season at Anfield, leaving us on 23 points from 10 league matches.
Match preview | City v Brighton
Now Guardiola has urged his team to regain their composure for this weekend’s fixture.
Asked how he has prepared his squad in training this week, Guardiola said: “I just focused on how good they [Brighton] are. We have to be ready otherwise we are not going to get points.
“These are one of few teams who can take the ball and know exactly what they need to do with it.
“The past is the past, it is already forgotten. Of course we take the lesson on and off the pitch. If we focus on the past we lose focus on the present and future. Liverpool is history and Brighton is our future.”
City now sit in second place in the Premier League, four points behind leaders Arsenal and level with third place Spurs, although we have played one game fewer than Antonio Conte’s side.
With Chelsea, Manchester United, Newcastle United and Liverpool also at the top end of the table, Guardiola admits he can’t yet be sure who the biggest challengers to City’s crown will be.
Given the condensed nature of this season and the World Cup on the horizon, the manager says there is a lot to be decided before this year’s honours are handed out.
“It’s just 10 fixtures [so far],” he said.
“The World Cup finals are in the middle. Europe involved. Injuries involved. A lot of games to play.
“I said before if we have seven or eight games left then yes, but it’s just 10 games. The future is Brighton.”
