Pep Guardiola has pinpointed Manchester City’s toughest Champions League group game – and it isn’t his reunion with Lionel Messi when the Blues face Paris Saint-Germain.
City, who lost to Chelsea in last season’s Champions League final, host RB Leipzig in their opening group stage match of Europe’s elite club competition on Wednesday.
Leipzig have had a torrid start to their domestic season, losing three of the first four, including a 4-1 home hammering by Bayern Munich yesterday.
Guardiola faces his former Barcelona star Messi, now at Paris St Germain, in the Champions League at the end of the month, but the City boss has warned his players that their entire focus has to be on Leipzig.
“The most difficult game we have in the group will be the first against Leipzig,” he said. “This is the most important game of the group stage.
“I have not thought one second about PSG. The teams we are going to face are so, so difficult.”
“Leipzig in Germany have not always been a contender for Bayern, but Bayern is unstoppable. I know the rhythm, quality, the pace they have. It’ll be a good test, but it’s important to arrive in this test the way we’re playing now and do a good game.”
In reaction to this Guardiola’s comments shared on Twitter by Man City Xtra, many City fans have been expressing their thoughts and opinions.
This man has 0 respect for PSG😂😂
— Fred Mshilla (@fredmshilla) September 13, 2021
Well thanks for that baldy. I’m not even more scared of PSG
— MH ⁷💙🏴 (@7Mcfcmax) September 13, 2021
When pep praises the opponent you know the games already done
— Khaldoon Al Mubarak (@LodulalitE) September 13, 2021
don’t overthink the first game itself…remember to include Rodri or Fernandinho in your line up…one of them will do…
— BT 😮💨 (@briantanweemin) September 13, 2021
Expecting a 2-0 win
— Richie (@Mysterio__01) September 13, 2021
6-0 or we riot
— Khaldoon Al Mubarak (@LodulalitE) September 13, 2021
Baldy when he faces against “Burnley” beating them 5-0 .. “this is one the most difficult games i played in my life . I respect the manager and i learned a lot from this. “
— City (@cityfam47) September 13, 2021
Man does this literally with everyone 😭
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