‘We need the people, please’: Pep Guardiola urges MORE Manchester City fans to attend the Etihad

Pep Guardiola has urged more Manchester City fans to attend their matches in a thinly veiled dig at absent supporters.

City overcame RB Leipzig 6-3 in an enthralling nine-goal thriller at the Etihad on Wednesday night to make a flying start to their Champions League campaign. 

But with Southampton up next for the Premier League champions on Saturday, Guardiola admitted he wanted to see more home fans cheering on his side.

Pep Guardiola has urged more Manchester City fans to attend, in a dig at absent supporters

His comments come ahead of their Premier League match against Southampton on Saturday

He said: ‘The last three games we’ve played here we’ve scored 16 goals. I would like more people to come to the next game on Saturday. 

‘We need the people, please, because we will be tired. I know the team from Ralph (Hasenhuttl) is quite similar, they way they play. They’re so dangerous and it’s a really important game. So I invite all our people to come next Saturday at 3pm to watch.’

The Citizens beat the German side, whose goals all came from Christopher Nkunku, with goals from Nathan Ake, Riyad Mahrez, Jack Grealish, Joao Cancelo and Gabriel Jesus, plus a bizarre Nordi Mukiele own goal. 

Guardiola was highly animated throughout the side’s 6-3 Champions League win against RB Leipzig at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday evening, and had strong words with Riyad Mahrez

However, the Spaniard admitted Leipzig’s gung-ho style of play made them difficult opponents.

He added: ‘It’s not normal, nine goals. We knew they never give up. They have a special way to attack and play, they play absolutely all or nothing. Of course they allow you to run and who is more clinical and better in the final third wins the game.

‘It’s a young team, so aggressive, really strong. So it’s a fantastic team. The way they play… part of me is a big fan because they give a good message to football that it doesn’t matter what happens, you can play, but of course the quality of (our) players was better today and that’s why we won.’