SILVA HAILS PEP STARS
We can make history like Barca says City ace
DAVID SILVA reckons highflying Manchester City are playing as brilliantly as Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona history-makers.
And the Spain playmaker is praying that their magnificent form will carry them to the club’s first Champions League title this season.
That would complete the ambition Silva has had ever since he rejected the chance to join Guardiola at the Nou Camp in 2010 and move instead to the Etihad.
And Silva says City are playing with the skill, pace and precision of the team that won Barca’s first-ever treble of Champions League, La Liga and Copa del Rey in Guardiola’s first season as manager in 2008-09.
Speaking ahead of tonight’s clash at Napoli, Silva said: “We are playing the best football since I’ve been here and it is like that Barca team of 2009. We ® from TIM GRAY in Naples are playing beautiful football, scoring so many goals and creating a lot of chances. I pray every night to win the Champions League with City.
“It would be amazing. Hopefully we can do it this season.”
Level
Silva, 32 in January, has been a huge hit since moving to English football from Valencia for £24m in 2010, creating 200 more chances than any other player in the Premier League in the last seven years.
But he believes this season he has taken his game to a new level due to playing in a more central position. He added: “I love to play in the middle and be in contact with the ball all the time. To create chances you have to be more involved in the game, so I’m very happy to play in that position.”
But Silva warned that City face the toughest test yet of their unbeaten record in the intimidating San Paolo Stadium tonight.
City had to dig in for a 2-1 win against the Serie A leaders at the Etihad a fortnight ago, while it is a must-win game for Napoli after losing two of their first three group games.
The only survivor from the starting line-up when City lost 2-1 to Napoli six years ago, Silva said: “We lost so I don’t have good memories of this stadium. Hopefully that will change.
“It’s difficult to keep up the high intensity of the game against them because they play like us. We have to try to keep it as long as possible to win the game. That’s the key.”
Guardiola regrets not landing Silva at Barcelona back in the summer of 2010 but is delighted to be making up for lost time now.
“David is a master of keeping the ball when under pressure,” he said.
“He is a legend at this club. It would have been a pleasure to take him for Barcelona but he was so expensive!”
Napoli boss Maurizio Sarri wants the home supporters to turn up the volume in a bid to rattle City.
He said: “Playing at home is an advantage for us with our great fans. I want to see some fear on their faces.”