BRUGGE MATCH IS BIGGER THAN DERBY, INSISTS PEP

PEP GUARDIOLA claims tonight’s clash with Club Brugge holds more significance to Manchester City’s season than this weekend’s derby at Old Trafford.

Victory over the Belgians, who they beat 5-1 a fortnight ago, would put City in a commanding position to reach the Champions League knockout stage.

Guardiola’s side are five points adrift of Chelsea in the Premier League title race ahead of their trip to United but the Spaniard played down Saturday’s clash.

‘This is more important than United — this game gives us an opportunity to make a step forward to qualify,’ he said. ‘In the Premier League, there are many games, here only three left. Games three and four are decisive.

‘We have to take it seriously. Every year this competition is trickier.’

While City have not scored in their last two games, Guardiola believes recent displays are among the best of his tenure. But he was unimpressed by the team’s defensive display in Bruges, saying: ‘In terms of the way we are playing, I’d say (it is) one of the best moments, maybe the best since we’ve been here. At the same time, we are still making mistakes.

‘Against Brugge, I (asked): “How many bad things have we done?”. After the game I said how incredible the performance was but defensively it was not really good.’

Meanwhile, Guardiola hopes Sergio Aguero does not rush back to football after being taken to hospital with chest pains last Saturday.

Aguero, 33, walked off in the 41st minute of Barcelona’s draw with Alaves and underwent ‘a diagnostic and therapeutic process’. He has been advised to have three months’ rest.

Guardiola said: ‘We wish him a speedy recovery, but it does not matter about the time. Health is much more important.’

Kick-off: 8pm, Etihad Stadium. TV: LIVE on BT Sport 3. Referee: Antonio Lahoz (Spain).