Pep orders City stars to grow up
PEP GUARDIOLA says he does not know if Manchester City are any closer to winning the Champions League despite having assembled the most expensive squad in football history.
Guardiola has spent almost £400million since taking charge at the Etihad 14 months ago and his current squad is worth a staggering £775m.
City begin their Champions League campaign tonight against Feyenoord aiming to improve on last season, when they went out at the last-16 stage to Monaco.
Guardiola said: “We can do better than last season but I don’t know. We’ll see.
“I don’t know if we are able to compete for the titles because we are in the process of growing up.
“If we don’t win or make a good performance it will be failure. I know that. I learnt it from the beginning. I have to accept it. I can handle that.
“Hopefully the players can understand. I respect Feyenoord. I will put my best team on the pitch. We have to win respect in Europe. Every game is a chance for us.”
Guardiola could include Ederson, despite the goalkeeper suffering serious facial injuries in last Saturday’s clash with Sadio Mane that has forced him to train in a scrum cap similar to one worn by Arsenal’s Petr Cech. Guardiola said: “After the game, he was speaking to the boys like nothing happened. It shows the character he has got.”
The problems with last season’s Champions League campaign lay away from the Etihad. Guardiola said: “We were not able to win one game away and it doesn’t matter if you are playing famous teams or lower teams. We are not dreaming – when you’re in that position, it’s better to be calm. When you arrive in the last stages you say the dream is close but now it’s far away.
“The Champions League is so demanding, the teams so physical. The best performances are always in the Champions League, but if you are not at the top level you cannot compete.
“Last season we did good things but it wasn’t enough. I don’t know if we are able to compete. We are still in the process. I’m so happy with the players we have.” A huge storm is forecast to hit Rotterdam during the game and there appear to be dark clouds gathering again over the relationship between Guardiola and Yaya Toure.
The Ivorian stayed in Manchester and has not played a single minute of the new season so far.
It is thought that Guardiola is not impressed with Toure’s attitude in training and fitness levels.
He said: “I spoke with him and he knows the reason why but it’s between him and me.”
Vincent Kompany is also out with the calf injury he picked up on international duty. (4-3-3) JONES DIKS VAN DER HEIJDEN BOTTEGHIN NELOM EL AHMEDI ST JUSTE VILHENA TOORNSTRA BERGHUIS (3-5-2) FERNANDINHO DE BRUYNE D SILVA MENDY AGUERO BOETIUS JESUS REFEREE: S Marciniak (Poland).