Having already secured both the UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup across the 2023/24 campaign, City are also still fighting for silverware on three more fronts via the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup.
However, in the midst of our pursuit for what would be an unprecedented fourth straight Premier League title, the reigning champions have conceded 26 goals to date in the league, two more than leaders Liverpool and four more than second placed Arsenal.
Saturday’s 1-1 draw at home to Chelsea home also meant City had recorded six clean sheets in the league overall so far this term, our lowest tally at this stage of the season during the Catalan’s record-breaking eight-and-half-year Etihad tenure.
However, asked at Monday’s pre-match press conference ahead of Tuesday night’s latest Premier League clash at home to Brentford if that comparative lack of clean sheets was any cause for concern, the City boss instead simply pointed to what remained his and the team’s overriding priority.
“We love to have clean sheets. All the teams want it, and we are not an exception. We want to concede few [but] at the end we want to win games,” Pep declared.
“Sometimes you have periods where you defend well and concede goals, sometimes you don’t concede.
“Never since I arrived [at City] was I focused on clean sheets, clean sheets, clean sheets.
“The players know it but I don’t go to them and say ‘Today clean sheets, clean sheets, clean sheets.’
“If you say ‘clean sheets, clean sheets’ they forget to play and forget defending and forget what they have to do.
“What we have to do is play better and better and better and concede few and attack better and create more chances.
“This is my target every time. Every time I make a meeting with them or prepare for a game.
“The average to concede few chances is the most important thing from my point of view but when we concede goals, we have to improve it.
“The goal is avoidable and hopefully next time it doesn’t happen.”
City v Brentford app coverage
Our official app allows you to follow all of the action from the Etihad Stadium in one place.
Minute-by-minute text updates will begin in our Matchday Centre two hours before kick-off, while our Matchday Live show will begin at 18:30 (UK).
We will have guests on the latest Matchday Live show, offering their expert insight before, during and after the action.
They will also answer viewer questions throughout the broadcast, with audience participation actively encouraged on Matchday Live. To get in touch, send a WhatsApp to: +447537186538.
During the game you can also listen to live audio commentary from Alistair Mann while our 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 the team news.
Highlights from the match, as well as a full-match replay [available with a CITY+ subscription] can be accessed from midnight.
