Pep Guardiola has downplayed suggestions that Manchester City is among the Champions League front-runners.
Man City has won one game as the Champions League second matchday kicked off and Guardiola believes clubs like Liverpool and the Spanish sides stand as the favourite to lift the title given their rich history in the competition.
“The teams are so strong, so good. I knew it. I tried to tell them against Lyon how difficult it would be. We don’t have history behind us. For me, it’s a surprise when they say City will win. I appreciate it, thank you but it’s not true. We are the same level as the teams — a step below the history of Liverpool, the Spanish teams, Milan, Juventus. that’s what I believe.” Guardiola offered.
“We’ve had one semifinal, one quarterfinal. It’s step-by-step, be humble, analyses the opponents. we’ll try to get to the quarterfinals, that’s a huge success for City.”
The former Barcelona manager challenged his players to stick together and see that they beat opponents if they are to succeed in the European premier competition, glory they are yet to savour.
“We have to live it like a club, for the players and myself it will be good. This competition, if we are able to go through to the quarterfinals, we’ll have learned about what we have to do to beat opponents, I’m pretty sure. The best lesson it will be good for our future as a club, our performance,” Guardiola concluded.
