Football

Guardiola says winning UEFA Champions League now easier

 

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has said that winning the UEFA Champions League again is an easier task than winning the first as the defending champions and treble winners from last season prepare for their first UEFA Champions League group-stage match of the new season.

Manchester City won the treble last season, lifting the Premier League and FA Cup and beating Inter Milan in the final courtesy of a second-half strike deim Rodri.

Guardiola, who joined the City in 2016, finally won the trophy in his second UEFA Champions League final with the club after losing the 2021 final to Chelsea, breaking the jinx of not winning the Champions League since leaving Barcelona.

However, the Spanish manager is not carried away by the feat, which he said the players want to replicate once again, saying the hardest part, which is winning one first, has already been achieved.

“It’ll be easier. The hardest to win is the first one. For our club to win the Champions League is incredible, but in perspective, how many won one Champions League? A lot. We haven’t done anything special with just one, but we are incredibly proud. I didn’t watch the game, not at all. I had the feeling they [Inter Milan] were a strong team. They proved it. It was a tight game, but they showed how strong they are, and they are a candidate again.” Guardiola said.

Manchester City will face Crvena Zvezda, RB Leipzig, and Young Boys in Group G of the competition, with the Serbians traveling to Etihad on matchday one on Tuesday. The treble winners defeated West Ham United 3-1 at the weekend.

Games will happen on Tuesday evening as Barcelona hosts Antwerp, Newcastle travel to AC Milan, while Lazio host Atletico Madrid, among others.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FIXTURES:

Feyenoord v Celtic.

Lazio v Atl Madrid.

AC Milan v Newcastle

PSG v B Dortmund

Young Boys v RB Leipzig

Man City v Red Star Belgrade

Barcelona v Royal Antwerp

Shakhtar Donetsk v FC Porto.

Daniel Ademiju Idowu

About the Author


Written by DafaNews

DafaNews brings you the most highlighted news in the world of Sports. It serves you up-to-date matches, scores, live streams, fantasy games and quizzes. Our news covers prestigious leagues and events – Premier League, Champions League, World Cup and many more.

Related Post
Share
Published by
DafaNews

Recent Posts

Valencia pleads with La Liga for postponement of game against Real Madrid

Valencia have pleaded with the La Liga authorities to postpone its match with Real Madrid… Read More

October 31, 2024

Dubois gets permission to face new challenger

Daniel Dubois has been given the go-ahead from the International Boxing Federation (IBF) to fight… Read More

October 31, 2024

Manchester United faces a brick wall ahead of Amorim’s appointment

Manchester United has seen their attempt to appoint Rúben Amorim as Erik ten Hag's successor… Read More

October 31, 2024

Randal Kolo Muani set to leave PSG

Reports have emanated from France that Randal Kolo Muani could leave Paris Saint-Germain for as… Read More

October 31, 2024

Dortmund chief Sebastian Kehl drums support for Nuri Sahin despite early season woes

Nuri Sahin has come under fire after Borussia Dortmund's start this term, but has received… Read More

October 31, 2024

Chet Holmgren Shines as Thunder Defeat Spurs, Besting Rival Victor Wembanyama

In an early showdown between two of the NBA’s most promising young big men, Chet… Read More

October 31, 2024