Pep Guardiola Emphasizes That Manchester City Must Show Respect Towards Copenhagen In The Champions League
Pep Guardiola is determined to prevent any hint of complacency from creeping into his Manchester City team as they prepare to host Copenhagen at the Etihad Stadium for the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Wednesday. The reigning European and world champions currently hold a two-goal advantage over their Danish opponents following a 3-1 victory in the first leg at Parken Stadium three weeks ago.
Although Manchester City has won all five of their previous meetings with Copenhagen, including a 5-0 victory in their last home encounter in October 2022, Guardiola emphasizes the unpredictability of football and stresses the importance of showing respect to Wednesday’s opponents.
“In football, anything can happen, and we must be mindful of that,” Guardiola stated during a press conference on Tuesday. “We hold Copenhagen in high regard and acknowledge their style of play.
“The Champions League is the Champions League. The top eight teams in Europe will progress to the next round. Our objective is to reach the quarter-finals once again, and we are not far from achieving that goal.”
“The way Copenhagen defends, they are very compact, and they execute their movements excellently. While I always keep an eye on our opponents, my primary focus is on our players.
“We faced difficulties against them last season; even Bayern Munich failed to secure a victory in Copenhagen during the group stage.
“They have maintained continuity with the same manager, Jacob Neestrup, for two consecutive years, and they possess a formidable striker. Their cohesive defensive structure and well-executed movements are commendable.
“My concerns are ever-present,” Guardiola continued. “Otherwise, I wouldn’t be in this position. However, I would prefer to start with a 3-1 lead rather than being 0-1 down.
“I would love for us to be leading 7-0, but such scenarios are rare in the Champions League. My priority is for us to perform as we are capable of.”
“Red cards or incorrect decisions are part of football. Had we conceded another goal in the group stages, we would have ended up second in the table, facing Real Madrid instead of Copenhagen.
“In football, the smallest details can make a significant impact. It’s crucial to prepare meticulously, both mentally and tactically. We must respect Copenhagen because this competition demands it.”
Guardiola perceives the Champions League to have strengthened in recent years, remarking, “The competition has become more formidable and competitive. It feels increasingly challenging to reach the semi-finals.
“Teams have improved, and so have the managers. It’s tougher now than it was during my playing days. However, ultimately, the stronger teams always progress.”
On another note, Guardiola confirmed that Jack Grealish is still sidelined with a groin injury, and he refrained from providing a specific timeline for his return.
Manchester City aims to extend their unbeaten streak to 20 games across all competitions as they face Copenhagen, who suffered a 2-0 defeat to Midtjylland in the Danish Superliga last Friday.
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