This isn’t last chance to win Champions League – Pep

Pep Guardiola insists his Manchester City players will have plenty more opportunities to win the Champions League – despite the club’s impending ban.

City head into the first leg of their last-16 tie against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu tonight with a cloud hanging over them after being suspended from the competition for the next two seasons.

The Premier League champions are appealing against the sanction – imposed by European governing body Uefa for Financial Fair Play breaches – but, as things stand, their current run in the event will be their last until at least 202223.

But, when asked if he felt this was a last chance, City manager Guardiola said: “No way! These players will have a lot of chances to win the Champions League.

“This season is a big opportunity. I know we play the king of this competition and we know the challenge in front of us but, at the same time, it’s not the last one.

“When you die, after there are no more chances. But, in life, if you are in this business and you want to train and play, you never know what is going to happen.

“There is no special motivation. Even if it was the last one there would not have to be extra motivation. The desire to win has to be there, without that it is impossible, but more than that it’s another game, that’s all.”

Two-time Champions League winner Guardiola confirmed that winger Raheem Sterling was fit to feature after three weeks out with a hamstring injury.