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PSG, runners-up last season, boast the likes of Neymar and Kylian Mbappe in attack and Guardiola anticipates a difficult evening.
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| Pep Guardiola |
Pep Guardiola admits Manchester City will have their work cut out to keep Paris St Germain’s big guns quiet in their Champions League semi-final.
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.”
Although PSG have knocked out Barcelona and holders Bayern Munich, coach Mauricio Pochettino said his team would keep their feet on the ground when they face City.
With all his best players at his disposal, PSG enter the tie full of confidence, but also with caution.
“I think City are one of the greatest teams in the world with the best coach and it will be as tough as against Bayern at least,” Pochettino told a news conference on Tuesday.
“Tougher? We’ll see. We’re confident but despite all the theories the most important things will be the 180 minutes on the pitch.”
PSG, one of the teams who declined to take part in the failed Super League, face a club who were one of the founding members of the project but none of that will matter.
“For me it’s a battle between two big clubs, PSG and City,” said Pochettino, who added he had ‘nothing’ to take from 2019, when he led Tottenham Hotspur past City in the quarter-finals.
Press Association
