Pep Guardiola doubts Manchester City’s ability to launch successful Premier League and Champions League assaults this season
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola admits he is unconvinced whether his side can successfully launch a dual Premier League and European assault this season despite their unblemished start.
City host German side Borussia Monchengladbach in their opening Champions League group stage clash on Tuesday after winning all six matches so far this term and topping the Premier League.
Under Guardiola’s predecessor Manuel Pellegrini, City enjoyed their best ever Champions League campaign last season before losing to eventual winners Real Madrid in the semi-finals.
“We are far away from the best we are looking for from this team to compete with the best teams in Europe and in the Premier League,” said Guardiola. “We have to improve.
“Always you can play better or work better. That’s the fascinating thing about this job. We are going to try [to win the Champions League] and we will see our level. If we do not achieve our dreams then we will think, what can we do better to do better?”
Guardiola will be able to call upon striker Sergio Aguero as his domestic suspension does not apply in Europe, while the Spaniard also confirmed that skipper Vincent Kompany and Ilkay Gundogan are closing in on a return following injury.