We can’t let the goal kings rule Pep knows Falcao and Co pack a punch
PEP GUARDIOLA fears his proud Champions League record will come under serious threat tonight from the team he describes as the goal kings of Europe.
The Manchester City manager has never failed to reach at least the semi-finals in seven previous Champions League campaigns – four with Barcelona and three at Bayern Munich.
But Monaco’s combination of pacy youngsters and experienced campaigners such as Radamel Falcao and Joao Moutinho will put that to the test at the Etihad.
Leonardo Jardim’s team will step out for the first leg of the last-16 tie full of confidence having scored 108 goals in all competitions this season.
That includes 76 in 26 games in Ligue 1, where they are in pole position to end Paris Saint-Germain’s run of titles.
Guardiola already knew French football was on the rise before PSG’s 4-0 demolition of his former club Barcelona last week.
And Monaco are leading that charge with players such as Kylian Mbappe, Bernardo Silva, Fabinho, Benjamin Mendy and Djibril Sidibe attracting the interest of Europe’s top clubs.
“I don’t need a result like PSG’s against Barcelona to realise how good French football is,” said Guardiola. “My opinion about Monaco before and after that game remains the same.
“Like a spectator, it is so nice to watch them. I’m impressed at how good they are.
“They are physically strong, the full-backs play like wingers, the wingers play like attacking midfielders and they have killers in the box.
“Both holding midfielders are intelligent, strong and they get in the box. They are the most successful team in Europe in terms of scoring goals. They don’t need too many chances to score. The first goal
SPORT IN BRIEF
REPORTS in their home game against Tottenham was from a cross from a full-back and a header from a full-back. In that game, they arrived only one or two times and still scored goals.” There are several other factors to cause Guardiola concern. Monaco’s counter-attacking style makes Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool look slouches. And English teams have never held any fears for them. They saw off Mauricio Pochettino’s Tottenham home and away in the group stages and have not lost to an English club on aggregate in a two-legged knockout tie in Europe for 20 years.
Arsenal were their most recent victims in the round of 16 two years ago and they also knocked out Chelsea in the semi-finals in 2004 and Manchester United in the quarter-finals in 1998.
Just for good measure, they put Newcastle out of the UEFA Cup semi-finals in 1999.
Guardiola is well aware that Falcao will have a point to prove on his return to England after flopping in his loan spells with Manchester United and Chelsea.
The Colombian superstar looked as if he was a spent force and would never recover his sharpness following a cruciate ligament injury in January 2014 during his time at Old Trafford and Stamford Bridge. But with the young runners in the Monaco
CITY’S CHAMPIONS LEAGUE RECORD
2011-12 – Group Stage Handed a daunting group and, despite earning 10 points, finished third behind Bayern Munich and Napoli 2012-13 – Group Stage FInished fourth in an even tougher group with former European champions Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund and Ajax 2013-14 – Round of 16 Reward for progressing from their group was a clash with Barcelona, who beat them 4-1 on aggregate. 2014-15 –Round of 16 Out of the hat against Barcelona again and this time were beaten 3-1. 2015-16 – Semi-final Topped group for the first time and beat Dynamo Kiev 3-1 and PSG 3-2, with Kevin De Bruyne, left, scoring before losing to eventual winners Real Madrid 1-0 after Fernando’s own-goal. team providing him with a great service, he has got his mojo back in the Principality.
While Guardiola hopes Falcao does not add to his 19-goal tally in all competitions this season, the City boss is pleased to see the rejuvenation of a player he admired when they both plied their trades in Spain.
“At Atletico Madrid he did an amazing job,” said Guardiola. “After that, unfortunately, he was injured and because of that he needed time.
“I don’t know what happened to him here in England but the way Monaco play now is perfect for him.
“They attack inside and cross a lot and he needs that. I’m happy for him – he is a good professional and a nice guy and back at his level scoring goals.”
In the absence of Brazilian Gabriel Jesus, Guardiola needs Sergio Aguero back to his best.
The Argentine has scored only twice since returning from a four-game suspension in December and appeared to have a tetchy exchange with his manager during the goalless FA Cup-tie at Huddersfield on Saturday amid continuing speculation about his future at the club.
When asked if he was working to bring Aguero back to his best, Guardiola moved his hands as if playing a computer game and implied it was down to the player.
“The guys who score goals, it is down to talent, instinct, how they have to move, create spaces. It is not like they are under remote control. They are going to do it themselves.”