Man City Boss Pep Guardiola asks “something special” to save the Champions League campaign | Football news

Pep Guardiola called for “something special” on the side of Manchester City to save the Champions League campaign.

The city, the winners of 2023, have slipped out of the top 24 in the championship phase, having won only two of their first seven matches and now have to beat Club Brugge at Etihad Stadium on Wednesday to stay in the competition.

“The situation we have is that we have to win the game and if not we will not continue in this competition,” said the city director Guardiola. “But it’s not a problem. It’s an opportunity, a challenge and we will face it.

“We would like to score a lot in the first 20 minutes, but I don’t think it’s going to happen. The approach is to read the game we need to play – to be completely relaxed, without feelings and to understand the game.

“I know that these games you need to put on something special – something that hasn’t been enough so far in this Champions League – to win the games.”

‘We’re not good enough’

The city is in this unpleasant situation after the delivery of a 2-0 one will lose 4-2 to Paris Saint-Germain last week.

Although they are two points outside the Play-Off positions, their work is at least simple, because the Brugge Club is one of the teams above those that can catch.

Therefore, the victory would be enough to pull a play-off spot and Guardiola, also a twice-winner coach with Barcelona, ​​is used to deal with such pressures.

He said: “I have spent many years in the Champions League since I started my career as a manager and these kinds of games I have played many times.

“Sooner or later you should play these kinds of games where, if you win, pass and if you don’t go out.

“This has happened more in the further stages, but we are here for the reasons we know we are not good enough, but this is a situation we have lived many times.”

Guardiola refuses to consider the prospect of defeat.

He added: “It wouldn’t be good (to lose) but I don’t think so now.”

Asked if it would be annoying, he said: “Ask with the question after. I know you want it!

“Thank you for your concern again. I know how anxious you are if we are out. After the game you can ask me and I will answer you.”

‘It’s final for both sides’

The bets are also high for the Brugge Club, which enter the game on the back of an undefeated 20 games.

Guardiola said: “It’s final for both of us, I expect a tough opponent, when a team is 20-21 games of undefeated is because they are good, there are no secrets about it.

“They do it very well-differently variants in accumulation. A state that meant man. It is always uncomfortable.

“We have to do it well, but in every team, including Manchester City, there are weaknesses. You should try to discover all this and try to punish them.”

Gvardiol’s warning of city teammates

The city is without defenders Nathan Ake and Ruben Dias, but they are hopeful John Stones, who has not started for a month, will be suitable after appearing on the bench against Chelsea on Saturday.

Defender Josko Gvardiol warned his teammates not to wait for an easy stroll against Club Brugge.

“I can tell you it’s a good team,” he said. “It’s not going to be easy. I faced them three years ago with RB Leipzig and they were really good.

“They play with wide wings to let them play a V so I think it’s going to be a good game. We need the points. We have to win and we will do everything to win the game.”