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Manchester City starts its hunt for a second consecutive Champions League trophy with a home match against Red Star Belgrade on Tuesday evening. Pep Guardiola is still proud of the Cup with the Big Ears that he won with the Citizens last season, but at the same time he also puts that final victory into perspective.
“It was incredible for our club to win the Champions League. But if you put it into perspective, how many clubs have won one Champions League? A lot of. And there are also many clubs that have won it two, three, four, five times. We have not achieved anything special with one win. But we are incredibly proud.”
According to the Spanish success coach, “the first step” in a new process awaits Tuesday against Red Star. “We will do our best and want to get the first three points.”
Guardiola is not yet busy with the final, which will be played at Wembley in June 2024. “We’re not thinking about that yet. You should only do that when you are in the quarter and semi-finals. There is still a lot of time left.”
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Jérémy Doku has only recently started playing for the English champions but has clearly already impressed his coach. Last weekend he colored his performance against West Ham with a first goal for the Citizens. “It’s been a long time since I’ve seen a winger trot up and down like that and his wingback dribble like that. It won’t happen every week. He does have the qualities to do it. I was impressed.”
In addition to the long-term injured Kevin De Bruyne, City will also miss defender John Stones, midfielder Mateo Kovacic and winger Jack Grealish on Tuesday. According to the coach, the trio is “doing better” and may return next weekend against Nottingham.
