Wembley is all right, said Ced
PEP GUARDIOLA has admitted that Manchester City may need to “suffer” in the Champions League group stage to prove they can go all the way and lift the trophy.
City had a shock defeat at home to Lyon in their opener and take on Hoffenheim tonight needing a win to get their campaign going.
The Blues qualified with ease from the group stage in the past two seasons under Guardiola, only to fall to Monaco at the last 16-stage in 2017 and in the quarter-finals against Liverpool last season.
And Guardiola suggested the Lyon loss could toughen City up and sharpen their competitive edge in the early stages, so they are at their best when it comes to the knockouts.
The City boss said: “The last two seasons we’ve qualified quite comfortably.
“Maybe we have to realise how complicated the competition is and suffer in the group stage to make a step forward in the knockout games. CEDRIC SOARES has urged Southampton to target another Wembley final to help get their season up and running.
Mark Hughes’ men have won just once in seven Premier League games this term, 2-0 at Crystal Palace.
They visit top-flight rivals Everton in the third round of the Carabao Cup tonight – with a trip to Leicester awaiting the winners.
Saints reached the League Cup final in 2017 when they were unlucky to lose 3-2 to Manchester United.
Soares says winning at Goodison Park can give them a Premier League boost before entertaining