Pep Guardiola asked Manchester City to focus their attention on beating Galatasaray, this Tuesday, in the final round of the Champions League group stage.
The coach stated that the team should ignore combinations of results and focus only on the game itself.
After , in Norway, City occupies 11th place in the Champions League table, outside the top-8 in goal difference. The top eight advance straight to the round of 16, while teams from 9th to 24th compete in a playoff.
Champion in 2023, City has 13 points after seven games, the same score as seven other teams. The difference between third place and 15th is just three points, which keeps the classification open.
To avoid the playoffs, they need to win at home and hope for other results. The goal difference can be decisive in the outcome of the round.
“I would prefer to have more points, but that’s what we deserve. We need to focus and try to win our game and then see where we finish,” said Guardiola.
“We will see the result in the last 10 minutes and then we will see what needs to be done regarding the goal difference. We have to focus on our game, that is the key. We will try to win tomorrow.”
The coach highlighted the moment of the opponent, leader of the Turkish Championship. “Galatasaray leads the Turkish league and all their players are exceptional. The quality they have… We need to make an incredible effort with our fans.”
Seca de Haaland
City arrives for the match with Erling Haaland starving for goals. After a strong start to the season, with 39 goals in 36 games for club and country, the Norwegian scored just once in the last nine games and was left on the bench in the 2-0 victory over Wolverhampton.
Asked about the striker’s performance, Guardiola replied: “The team. They need to play better, create more chances and he will score. Never underestimate the attackers, the scorers, because they will always shut you up.”
Guardiola also commented on the reunion with Ilkay Gundogan and Leroy Sané, now at Galatasaray, both former City players. “I’m grateful to both of them. Amazing contributions and great people. Glad to see them back tomorrow.”
“He (Gundogan) stayed here longer than Leroy, but Leroy gave us something unique. He had a special connection with Kevin (De Bruyne). Gundogan was captain in the treble season and a decisive player in big games.”
