Champions League: Manchester City journey to Atletico Madrid with the intention to win-says Pep Guardiola

Manchester City will journey to the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium to face Atletico de Madrid within the second leg of the UEFA Champions League quarter-final after taking a 1-0 lead within the first leg on the Etihad Stadium final week. The Premier League champions will enter this sport on the again of a 2-2 draw of their title decider in opposition to Liverpool on the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

It wasn’t till Pep Guardiola had launched Phil Foden within the second half that there was some spark about Man City. Midfielder Kevin De Bruyne made the distinction between the 2 sides, breaking the impasse within the second half. It was very tough for Guardiola’s males to interrupt down Atletico’s resilient defence that they’re well-known for.

The second leg is perhaps completely different since Diego Simione wants no less than one objective to make issues degree in opposition to Manchester City, and he could have the help of the house followers this time spherical.

In the pre-match press convention, Manchester City supervisor Pep Guardiola stated that the second leg can be completely different as Atleti can be at residence, however the Premier League champions intend to win the sport.

“We travel with a sure result and intention to win the game. We try to see what the score is in the last five, ten minutes. It will be different from the first because they are at home and create momentum with their own game and the passion of their fans and the history they have,” he stated.

Atletico de Madrid are recognized to sit down again, frustrate groups, and play on the counter aggressively with the tempo of Joao Felix, and the physicality of Luis Suarez. They generally is a actual menace in transitions. Guardiola stated that Atleti will look to create issues, however City will play their manner as they have been doing.

“There will be moments when they are aggressive and create problems. We have to play our game. We have done these years. You have to finish with 11 in the knockout stages. The message will not for one second be different to what we have done all the time. Be careful in situations, defend well. Control the transitions which are really good. All the stuff we prepared – we need to do it as well as possible,” he stated.

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Manchester City defender Ruben Dias who gained the Premier League Player of the Year final season has been out since March when he picked up an damage within the sport in opposition to Peterborough. Pep Guardiola stated that the Portuguese will journey with the squad as he did one coaching session with the group, however gained’t begin the sport.

“He makes one training session and six weeks off. The fact he’s back is incredible and we have a big schedule until the end of the season. Everyone will be important,” he said.

“He travels with us, the rest are fit. He did one training session after six weeks off. It is premature, but the fact he is back with the schedule we have is good. Everyone will be important and Ruben is,” he added.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola was all praise for midfielder Kevin De Bruyne after he scored the opener in the 2-2 draw against Liverpool.

“An excellent instinct to seek out areas, he deserves all of the reward he will get. The objective was all the way down to his nice high quality. He’s a tremendous participant to assault house if it is large or decreased,” he said.

Manchester City midfielder Fernandinho said that he will leave at the end of the season. Pep Guardiola said that the club will see what happens at the end of the season, and that he will speak to the Brazilian.

“We will see what occurs on the finish of the season. I do not know what will occur. Fernandinho, I’ve stated so many instances, is so necessary to me. I’ll speak to him,” he said.

Atletico de Madrid have made it through the next round of the UEFA Champions League two of their previous three times after losing the first leg. Simione’s men have not won a home game in the UCL since October 2020, drawing 4 and losing 3 games in the process. The defending La Liga champions are entering this game on the back of a 1-0 loss away to Mallorca, sitting in fourth in the league.

Pep Guardiola said that they will try and win as they’re well prepared.

“How to defend areas, what to do in certain areas, how to hurt them. Control the transitions they will make. All the stuff we prepared. Do it as well as possible.” he stated.

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