‘City cannot get carried away by win’

Leipzig can compete on European stage: coach

ROTTERDAM, Sept 14, (Agencies): Manchester City must not get carried away by their 4-0 win at Feyenoord and stay true to their attacking philosophy on the road if they are to do well in the Champions League, manager Pep Guardiola has said.

City equalled their biggest Champions League victory, destroying the Dutch champions in Rotterdam through defender John Stones’s brace while forwards Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus too scored a goal each.

Guardiola said he was pleased with the result but stressed the need to guard against complacency, pointing to City’s poor away record in Europe last season.

“It’s so important to win the first game and though nothing is achieved yet, it’s a great start for us this evening,” Guardiola told the club’s website (www.mancity. com).

“Last season we weren’t able to win any games away in the Champions League and we spoke about that among the squad.

“... It’s important for us to see if we can go away from home with the same mentality we have at the Etihad. The same high press, attacking philosophy and not conceding on the counter-attack, so I’m very pleased tonight.”

Guardiola praised Stones for his contribution in the win.

“John played well and while he scored two great goals, he did very well defensively, winning duels and doing what he had to do,” the Spaniard said.

“That’s what John needs to do to keep progressing over the next few years.”

City, who are below Manchester United on goal difference, return to Premier League action on Saturday with a trip to Watford.

Monaco’s Kamil Glik (left), kicks the ball as Leipzig’s Timo Werner (right), looks during the Champions League Group G first leg soccer match between RB Leipzig and AS Monaco FC in Leipzig, Germany on

Sept 13. (AP)

Feyenoord’s return to the Champions League after an absence of 15 years was something of a shock, coach Giovanni van Bronckhorst admitted while bemoaning the difference in quality after thrashing by Manchester City.

Just over 24 hours after suggesting in his pre-match press conference there was no reason why the Dutch champions could not win their opening Group F encounter, Van Bronckhorst admitted his side were largely out of their depth.

“It was getting acquainted with the highest of levels,” he said after the home defeat in De Kuip. They played with such comfort, incredible movement off the ball.

“City are one of the top teams in the world and to beat them you have to have a really good day. And to make sure you do not start like we did. The difference was too great.”

The inexperienced Feyenoord were a goal down after just two minutes and 3-0 behind at the 25-minute mark.

“It was too much for a number of the players at this highest level,” added Van Bronckhorst. “But you also have to grow in the game and get some confidence. But going behind after two minutes was a real hefty blow for my team.

“I thought it was because of nerves. But you don’t need to have any sympathy with us. I’m glad we are competing in the Champions League but you can see how big the difference is.”

The next group assignment for Feyenoord, winners of the old European Cup in 1970, was not expected to get any easier with an away match at Napoli on Sept 26.

RB Leipzig have shown that they can compete at the top level of European football, coach Ralph Hasenhuettl said after the German club’s 1-1 draw with Monaco on their Champions League debut on Wednesday.

“We have made our first steps here. We played well against a strong opponent, and showed that we can compete at this level,” said Hasenhuettl.

“It was a good start from us all, and it makes us want more.”

Leipzig picked up a point from their first ever Champions League fixture, after Emil Forsberg’s first half opener was quickly cancelled out by Monaco’s Youri Tielemans.

The Leipzig coach admitted that he felt his team could have taken all three points against Monaco, and said that both he and his players had been cautious as they made their first foray into Champions League football.

“I think everyone noticed that we weren’t as calm on the ball and that we didn’t take as many risks as usual.

Manchester City’s Fabian Delph (center), goes up against Feyenoord’s Karim El Ahmadi (left), and Feyenoord’s Tonny Vilhena during a Champions League Group F soccer match between Feyenoord and Manchester City at

the Kuip Stadium in Rotterdam, Netherlands on Sept 13. (AP)

“I chose not to bring on another forward towards the end, because it’s always possible to concede from set pieces, and Monaco showed towards the end that they could be dangerous.”

The cautious approach, Hasenhuettl said, was partly down to the absence of Liverpool bound midfield star Naby Keita, who was ruled out of Wednesday’s fixture with a groin injury.

“We did miss Naby. If he had been there, then we probably would had a bit more stability and a bit more penetration going forward. To get a point without him is a great achievement.”

It is nearly thirty years since the city of Leipzig, where the German Football Federation was founded, has hosted a game in European club competition. The historical significance, Hasenhuettl said, had not escaped him and his team.

“The atmosphere gave us goosebumps tonight,” said striker Timo Werner. “We really wanted to win, but Monaco defended well.”

“I also noticed that the expectations were high, and the people of Leipzig were excited to see a game at this level,” said Hasenhuettl. “For us it was obviously something special.”

The Austrian even broke with his usual touchline dress code of tracksuit and trainers, donning a suit to mark the occasion of RB’s Champions League debut.

“The players started laughing when I came to give the team talk, because they’re not used to seeing me in a suit.”

Forsberg

their only two shots on target.

“I know you are always looking for this thing – the defence was always something being talked about: ‘We didn’t sign this or that’,” said Klopp, whose side was returning to Champions League action after a two-season absence.

“If these problems could be solved by one player you can imagine we would have put all our money into it and say: ‘Let’s do this’.

“It is about being dominant and losing a bit of a grip on the game in all the defensive moments.”

Klopp said there was room for improvement and that his players needed to learn to be dominant and not give away easy goals.

“It is not a general defending problem but we have to improve