Pep: Caballero the man for City

Pep Guardiola’s doubts in Joe Hart saw the England No. 1 make for the Etihad exit door, but the Spanish coach admits there is little chance of that happening with Willy Caballero.

Claudio Bravo’s red  card in City’s 4-0 defeat to Barcelona at the Nou Camp means Guardiola’s first-choice keeper will sit out the return leg on Tuesday.

But Guardiola was nonplussed about Bravo’s absence, insisting confidence-inspiring keeper Caballero is the man for the job.

“He’s helped me very much from the very first few games,” Guardiola said. “I like him on a personal level.

“Every time he’s played, he’s played well. He gives me a lot of confidence.

“If he plays well we’re happy, if he doesn’t we will try and help him. I’m very happy with him, we have no doubts about him.”

(Photo by Matthew Ashton – AMA/Getty Images)

And forward Nolito backed up Guardiola’s sentiments, insisting 35-year-old Argentine Caballero is a perfect replacement for Bravo.

“Claudio Bravo doesn’t play because he was sent off – but we have another great goalkeeper in Willy. We have two great goalkeepers,” Nolito said.

“Willy is normal person. Just knowing him from the short time I’ve been here, he’s great guy, a good character, he speaks Spanish as well. Hopefully he will play very well.”