SPECIAL ONES
Pep wants perfection from his champions-elect
PEP GUARDIOLA called for an “an almost perfect performance” against Paris-Saint Germain’s superstars tomorrow after watching his own entertainers score the 700th goal of his Manchester City reign.
Strikes from Sergio Aguero and Ferran Torres sent City to the brink of the title, even if they are going to have to wait a few days more now.
Guardiola urged his side to maintain the intensity which saw them win in the French capital last week to stop Neymar, Kylian Mbappe and Angel Di Maria back at the Etihad Stadium tomorrow and reach a first Champions League final.
“Everybody knows we are living something special,” said Guardiola, whose side lead PSG 2-1 from the first leg. “We are one step to being champions again. Three times in four years, in this country, is something more than remarkable.
“We’ve got a semi-final of the Champions League to reach a final for the first time.We have to do our job on Tuesday and make an almost perfect performance to reach the final.We are playing a team with the most talented players up front. It’s not just one, not just two, it’s three – even three-and-ahalf. We have to play as a team with incredible mentality to play to win.We have to be more aggressive to try to win the game.”
It promises to be another intriuging contest against Mauricio Pochettino – a fellow disciple of Marcelo Bielsa’s full-on football which has changed the sport after Jose Mourinho’s pragmatic style dominated the first decade of this century.
Guardiola kept faith with his convictions during his rocky first year in English football – and has been given the time and money to build a dynasty. And 700 goals in under five years – more than 140 a season – is
evidence of his team’s ability to entertain as well as win.
“That is the best compliment we can get,” said Guardiola. “When people can enjoy and be pleased with the way we play. We don’t always play good but we try. Sometimes the opponents is better but the intention – after five years today, many titles – is that we still have the desire.”
Beaten Palace boss Roy Hodgson said: “It doesn’t get any easier for the teams that aren’t in their category to compete with them because unfortunately they don’t have weaknesses.
“There was a time in the past when some of the better teams with very talented players, you could maybe get something against them because you worked harder or you were more aggressive, more physical, you ran and fought more than they did.
“Unfortunately the top teams today don’t even give you that opportunity.
“So it’s unfair, if you like, for all of us in that category because you know somewhere along the line there is a risk that a finish like Aguero’s is going to land on your doorstep.”
CRYSTAL PALACE (4-3-3): Guaita 7; Ward 6, Kouyate 6, Dann 7, Mitchell 6; Milivojevic 5, Riedewald 5 (Schlupp, 58, 5), Eze 5; Townsend 7 (J Ayew, 82), Benteke 5 (Mateta, 67, 5), Zaha 5.
MANCHESTER CITY (4-4-2): Ederson 6; Cancelo 7, Laporte 6, Ake 6, Mendy 5; Torres 7, Rodri 6, Fernandinho 6 (Zinchenko, 67, 6), Sterling 6; Jesus 6, Aguero 7.
Goals: Aguero 57, Torres 59.