Guardiola tells City to silence PSG’S big guns in semi-final

Pep Guardiola admits Manchester City will have their work cut out to keep Paris St Germain's big guns quiet in theirchampionsleaguesemifinal.

The Premier League leaders travel to the French capital for the first leg of their last-four tie tonight.

PSG, runners-up last season, boast the likes of Neymar and Kylian Mbappe in attack and Guardiola anticipates a difficult evening.

The City boss said: "They are incredible top players. We are going to try to stop them.

"We are not good in our defensive departments. We are good with the ball. Our strong point defensively is because 11 players run a lot.

"Tomorrow, unfortunately, we will have to run more and more because PSG are so strong."

Guardiola, who twice won the Champions League as Barcelona manager, has stressed the occasion is something his players need to savour.

It is only the second time City have reached the last four and the first since Guardiola took charge in 2016.

He said: "Enjoy the travel, the coffee in the airport, the hotel, watching the other semi-final, the walk, the training.

"We're privileged to be one of the best four teams in Europe this season. It has to be enjoyed."

Guardiola has a fully-fit squad for the encounter at the Parc des Princes.

He said: "Everyone is fit and ready - and happy, all the players. We are grateful to have this opportunity. For us it is something new and we are incredibly grateful to live it. It is so nice to go to Paris for all of us."

Paris St Germain manager Mauricio Pochettino insists the semi-final is not a personal battle between him and Guardiola.

The Argentinian also says his memorable victory over City in the competition with Tottenham two years ago will have no bearing on the contest.

Pochettino said at his prematch press conference: "It's not a personal battle, it's not a personal game. It's a battle between two very good teams.

"When you talk about Pep Guardiola you are talking about one of the best coaches in the world, if not the best. I admire Pep not only for the titles but the legacy that he is building in football.

"I love being involved in football and trying to learn, to compete and win, but it is a game between two big clubs. It's not going to be an easy game for either side."

Pochettino's Spurs beat City in dramatic circumstances in the quarter-finals in 2019. City thought they had won the tie with a late goal in the second leg at the Etihad Stadium, but it was ruled out by VAR and Spurs went through on away goals.

Pochettino said: "There is nothing you can take from two years ago.

"It was a completely different game, a different approach and different teams. Always we live in the moment and the reality is this is completely different.

"Manchester City today are different and I am in PSG, which is a completely different club to Tottenham."