Guardiola: 'Only Real under pressure to win Champions League'
Guardiola arrived at Man City in 2016 and won every domestic title, including four Premier Leagues, one FA Cup, four League Cups, and two English Super Cups. However, they have yet to win the Champions League. Man City's best achievement in this arena is the final in 2021, where they lost to Chelsea 0-1 because of Kai Havertz's only goal.
Guardiola admits his tenure at the Etihad Stadium can only be judged successful if he wins the Champions League, despite his achievements in the domestic league.
"I don't agree with that view, but surely Man City will be judged by the success in the Champions League," Guardiola said on March 13 in a press conference before the second leg of the 1/8 round against RB Leipzig. "Before my first match with Man City in the Champions League in 2016, I was asked to come here to win the tournament? If I were the coach of Real, I can understand, because the pressure to win is always there at this club."
The Spanish coach emphasized that the expectation of winning the Champions League is one of many theories about Man City that he cannot control and is forced to accept. "It's great that before the season, Man City is considered a strong candidate for the championship, even though we have never been crowned. The reality is what happens in at least 95 minutes, or the best effort before. every opponent," added Guardiola.
In the first leg, Man City was better in the first half and opened the scoring thanks to Riyad Mahrez. But the away team sagged and let the host RB Leipzig dominate after the break. Josko Gvardiol's header made the Premier League representative leave with a draw.
Guardiola praised RB Leipzig for being very aggressive in high pressing, able to deploy the ball well from the goalkeeper and defender. The 52-year-old coach emphasized that Leipzig has many high-class players and is still a very difficult opponent to play despite the absence of Christopher Nkunku - the striker has a slight thigh muscle strain and cannot play. He also emphasized that Man City's goal is to win to continue to raise the ambition of a treble. In the remaining two arenas, the owner of Eithad is behind Arsenal in the Premier League and will meet Burnley in the quarterfinals of the FA Cup on March 18.
Although Erling Haaland has scored 34 goals in all competitions this season, the Man City coach wants the Norwegian striker to play more comprehensively. "I don't like a player who only scores in the box. Whatever it is, Man City need Haaland to score goals like that," he said. "But outside the box, where Haaland hasn't been able to score yet, we need him to be more active. We have to look and get Haaland involved more in the game. Haaland has improved, but still can. do better".
Guardiola also asked Kevin De Bruyne to find his form. Despite 13 assists in the Premier League and three assists in the Champions League, De Bruyne's influence has waned in recent times as he has been a substitute in three of the last seven Premier League matches. "At the right time, he can move out and penetrate the middle, exploit spaces and deliver incredible passes," said Guardiola.
