GUARDIOLA NAMES CITY HISTORY BOYS
PEP WANTS TO WRITE GLORIOUS EURO CHAPTER FOR PLAYERS
PEP Guardiola shied away from the notion that he could write a huge chapter in City’s history by guiding the club to their first Champions League triumph.
The Blues boss helped spark a dynasty at Barcelona as a player by helping them to their first victory in the competition, at Wembley in 1992 - and they have since won it four more times, two of them under his management.
But Guardiola deflected the question by declaring that there are others at the club who deserve to hit the European pinnacle more than he does.
Not surprisingly, long-time servants David Silva - whose City career will end after this tournament - and Sergio Aguero tripped off his tongue quickly enough, in terms of more deserving winners.
But the other two names he mentioned were a little more surprising.
He came up with Nicolas Otamendi,
also expected to leave the Blues once this season concludes, after six years of service - and maybe that factor prompted Guardiola to call him to mind as a worthy recipient of a winner’s medal.
He mentioned how Otamendi, who has faded out of the starting XI but is an experienced Argentina international and a respected figure in the squad, was a big voice in the dressing room before the 2-1 in over Real Madrid on Friday night.
The fourth player was Fernandinho, another who has played over 300 games for the club.
Asked about making history, just as he did as a player, Guardiola said: “We are going to try, like every season. It’s not about me - David Silva deserves it more than anyone else, Sergio as well.
“Or Nico, how he was in the locker room before the game, supporting his teammates and playing the last five or ten minutes to help us.
“And Fernandinho - who wants the same level... we are going to try.
“If you beat Madrid you are normally in the final and lift the trophy, but we were in the last 16 and have a long road.”
City will head to Portugal at the end of the week, but Guardiola says they will not be hunkering in their hotel rooms in between games, with their own tournament spread over nine days, if they make the final.
He said they aim to enjoy their time in Lisbon, will treat it like a World Cup and aim to laugh their way to success. “When you arrive at this stage and see the desire of the players to win and go through, it’s just to have fun,” he said. “I know they will be focussed, will prepare incredibly well, and will arrive ready to reach the semifinals of the Champions League. “We cannot just stay nine or ten days in Portugal in our rooms, just waiting for the moment.
“We have to try to make walks, and have good dinners and lunches together – and of course, training. “Then after that, we try to beat them.”
If you beat Madrid you are normally in the final or lifting the trophy