Guardiola relishing spotlight

PEP Guardiola is relishing the intensity of the Champions League spotlight and hopes his Manchester City players can do the same.

City resume their European challenge tonight as they host Monaco in the first leg of their last-16 tie.

Guardiola won the competition twice with Barcelona and took Bayern Munich to three successive semi-finals, thriving on the pressure the competition brings.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Guardiola said: “A lot of big clubs are not here, they are not living that situation. We are lucky guys.

“I know how difficult it is as a manager, as a player, to be selected to be here.

“The recent history is quite good but in the long history, Manchester City were not here. I would like to convince the players to enjoy that moment. It is beautiful.”

City reached the semi-finals for the first time last season, but their opponents in the first knockout stage this time are in formidable form.

Monaco top Ligue 1, three points ahead of a Paris St Germain side that thrashed Barcelona last week, having scored 76 goals i n their 26 games.

A number of their players have been linked with big-money summer moves, 18-year-old wing er Kylian Mbappe, especially, earning rave reviews.

Guardiola said: “Like a spectator it is so nice to see them. I am really impressed how good they are.

“We are looking forward to playing against them. Just compliments (to them) because they are a really good team.”