Guardiola ‘inspirational’ as City eye a final place

NICK CUSHING will today look to succeed where Pep Guardiola failed – by guiding Manchester City to a Champions League final.

Cushing, the manager of City’s women’s team, takes his side to face reigning European champions Lyon in a semi-final that is finely balanced after a goalless first leg at the Etihad Campus.

The French club beat the Blues at the same stage last season before edging out Paris Saint-Germain on penalties in Cardiff to lift the trophy for a fourth time in seven years.

And Cushing (above) hopes that his players will be inspired by the way Guardiola has brought the Premier League title to Manchester.

He said: “Pep has inspired every coach in the game, regardless of whether it is in the mens or womens game. We have all learned from him and the way his teams play. I have learned from him. He has inspired me, like he has inspired many coaches.

“As a coach, I am really grateful I can watch his teams and learn for the future.”

Lyon have won the French title for 11 successive seasons and are favourites to retain the European crown.

But Cushing remains optimistic that City can become only the second English team to reach the Champions League final following Arsenal’s European triumph 11 years ago.

City won 1-0 in Lyon last season – but it was not enough to overturn a 3-1 first leg deficit.

Cushing said: “I think we have progressed as a team. Last season, we were happy to get to the semi-final in our first season in the competition.

“We have lost some players from the 2017 squad, but we’ve added some as well and we now have more experience in the competition.”