PEP THE PERFECTIONIST

Guardiola insists his great blue entertainers must be ‘almost perfect’ if they are to hold off PSG in tomorrow’s showdown

PEP GUARDIOLA called for “an almost perfect performance” against Parissaint Germain tomorrow after watching his entertainers score the 700th goal of his Manchester City reign.

Strikes from the recalled Sergio Aguero and Ferran Torres sent the Citizens to the brink of the title, even if they are going to have a few days’ more wait now.

Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson claimed it is now “unfair” facing top sides like City because they match his side’s work-rate – and also produce moments of magic such as the Argentine’s stunning opener.

But 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.

“Everybody knows we are living something special,” said the Catalan, 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 produce 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, two, it’s three – even three-and-a-half.

“They can win the games in one action. We have to play as a team with incredible mentality to play to win. We have to be more aggressive. That’s why the commitment for everyone is there.”

It promises to be another intriguing contest against Mauricio Pochettino (above) – 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.

A potential last contrast of tactics with Guardiola was denied last month when Spurs showed how time has moved on by sacking the Special One just before the Carabao Cup final.

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 scoring 700 goals in under five years – more than a remarkable 140 goals 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 you people can enjoy and be pleased with the way we play. “We don’t always play good but we try.

“Sometimes the opponent is better but the intention – after five years today, and many titles – is that we still have the desire.” Palace have now lost three consecutive Premier League games for the first time this season to Chelsea, Leicester and now City while conceding eight goals.

Hodgson admitted: “It doesn’t get any easier for the teams that aren’t in their category to compete with them because 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 a finish like Aguero’s is going to land on your doorstep.”