Daily Star

Pep: My fear of failure

- By DAVID McDONNELL

from JEREMY CROSS in Lyon

PEP GUARDIOLA fears Manchester City will be branded failures if they don’t win the Champions League.

They face Lyon in the OL Stadium tonight looking to secure the win that will guarantee them top place in Group F and a place in the knockout stages.

Despite their domestic success, the City coach has failed to make a significan­t impact on Europe’s biggest stage.

And the Spaniard said: “For the people who don’t love us too much (critics), then we would have failed.”

City’s best run in the competitio­n was when they reached the semi-finals under Manuel Pellegrini in

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JOSE MOURINHO has told his Manchester United flops to stay at home if they can’t handle the pressure of playing for the club.

The Old Trafford outfit have endured a miserable start to the season and were woeful in Saturday’s goalless draw at home to Crystal Palace.

Mourinho’s side have won more times away than at home this season, with just three victories from nine games in all competitio­ns at the Theatre of Dreams.

But the United boss dismissed the suggestion his players struggle at Old Trafford and said if that was the case they should watch tonight’s Champions League game against Young Boys on the television.

Asked if his players felt more pressure playing at home, defiant Mourinho said: “I refuse to say that.

“I think it would be a lack of respect to the stadium and fans to say we prefer to play away from home, so I totally refuse to say that.

“If you ask me if I prefer to play against

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 ??  ?? TOUGH TALK: Jose Mourinho has strong words for his players over their poor home record
TOUGH TALK: Jose Mourinho has strong words for his players over their poor home record

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