Guardiola urges caution as City prepare for Basel
No complacency from the Premier League leaders
When Manchester City drew Basel in the Champions League last 16 during December, Pep Guardiola stated that how his team fared would depend on the “moment” the tie arrived two months later.
After Saturday’s rout of Leicester his side are runaway Premier League leaders so he was asked if this was the perfect time to resume the European Cup campaign.
“We arrive good,” he said. “But we have to know the Champions League is another competition, completely different. The Champions League is about how you control the bad moments and the emotions. We scored six goals last season in the last 16 and were out [against Monaco]. If the 10 minutes that happen at Anfield [conceding LAST 16, 1ST LEG – FEB 13
St. Jakob-Park Head-to-head First meeting
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three in 4-3 defeat], happen in the Champions League, we are out. The players have to understand we will concede chances and goals. The deal is not to look forward past the two games of last the 16.”
City playmaker Kevin De Bruyne will be a serious Ballon d’Or contender if he wins major titles with the Premier League club, according to Guardiola.
De Bruyne has been vital to City’s dominance this campaign with the 26-year-old notching a league-high 14 assists including three in Saturday’s 5-1 rout of Leicester.
“No doubt,” Guardiola said when asked if the Belgian could win the prestigious individual award. “He is not (just doing it in) one game. It’s the whole season, every three days playing that way.
“But he knows and everyone knows, to be there you have to win titles — and titles and titles, especially one. But the way he’s played it’s difficult to find one (better) in Europe.” 11/5 14/5 Competition statistics (per match) Shots on target Shots wide Passes Crosses Possession
Juventus Stadium Head-to-head First meeting
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Form 7/5 14/4 Competition statistics (per match) Shots on target Shots wide Passes Crosses Possession
Kane finished Europe’s top scorer for club and country last year – scoring 56 goals, including seven hat-tricks
Juventus undefeated in 26 home ties in Europe, since 2013 loss to Bayern Home record in Champions League