MODEL CITIZENS
Pep demands perfect show to pip PSG
PEP GUARDIOLA wants an almost perfect performance against PSG after watching his own entertainers score the 700th goal of his reign.
Strikes from the recalled Sergio Aguero and Ferran Torres sent Manchester City to the brink of the title, even if they are going to have to wait a few days more.
Palace manager Roy Hodgson claimed it is now “unfair” facing top sides like City because they match his side’s workrate and also produce moments of magic such as the Argentine’s opener.
But Guardiola urged his Citizens side to maintain the intensity that saw them win in Paris last week to stop Neymar, Kylian Mbappe and Angel Di Maria tomorrow and reach a first Champions League Final.
The City boss said: “Everybody knows we are living something special. We are one step to being champions again. Three times in four years in this country is something more than remarkable.
“We now have to do our job
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on Tuesday and make an almost perfect performance to reach the Champions League Final.
“We are playing a team with the most talented players up front. They can win the games in one single action. We have to play with incredible mentality to play to win. We have to be more aggressive to try to win the game.”
Guardiola kept faith with his convictions during his rocky first year in English football – and has been given the time and money to build a dynasty. Scoring 700 goals in under five years is evidence of his team’s ability to entertain as well as win.
He added: “We don’t always play good but we try. The intention – after five years, many titles – is that we still have the desire.”
Palace have now lost three Premier League games in a row for the first time this season to Chelsea, Leicester and now City, conceding eight goals. Hodgson said: “It doesn’t get any easier for the teams that aren’t in their category to compete with them because unfortunately they don’t have weaknesses. “There was a time in the past when some of the better teams with very talented players, you could maybe get something against them because you worked harder or you were more aggressive, more physical, you ran and fought more than they did. “Unfortunately the top teams today don’t even give you that opportunity. “So it’s unfair, if you like, for all of us in that category because you know somewhere along the line there is a risk a finish like Aguero’s is going to land on your doorstep.”