Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola says his team will do everything they can to win this season’s Champions League, but warns that they may not yet be ready to lift Europe’s premier piece of silverware.
Guardiola’s side went into the competition as the bookies’ favourites, but lost their opening group F clash 2-1 at home to Lyon. After winning 2-1 in Germany against Hoffenheim on matchday two City are now second in the group.
Speaking in Ukraine ahead of the clash against Shakhtar Donetsk tonight, Guardiola told the BBC: “We are going to put in all effort to win this competition, but from what I saw last season we are not ready, that’s what I feel.
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“That doesn’t mean we are not going to try. It’s one important thing to win this kind of title, you have to be pushed - not just by the manager, by everyone surrounding Manchester City that we have to win it. And still we don’t have that feeling, the feeling that the fans are pushing that we have to win the Champions League.”
Gundogan: only the greats win the UCL
Ilkay Gundogan says that if this current City team are to be considered as one of the greats then they must win the Uefa Champions League (UCL).
City won last season’s Premier League title with a record 100 points but in the Champions League they were beaten in the quarter-finals 5-1 on aggregate by English rivals Liverpool.
Speaking to ESPN, the German said: “The Champions League is, in terms of club football, the most prestigious one. And if you don’t win it you will never be named one of the greatest teams, no chance.
“So that’s what you have to achieve. It will not make the last season worse, it will still be special and a lot of positive and nice memories in our minds. But when you ask me how to be remembered as one of the greatest teams I think it’s a fact to win the Champions League.”
Team news and starting XIs
City midfielder Gundogan is sidelined with a hamstring injury so will miss the group F clash tonight. Full-back Danilo is also unavailable after injuring his ankle on international duty for Brazil.
However, England defender Kyle Walker has travelled to Ukraine and is in contention to play after recovering from a groin injury. And Goal.com reports that Belgian playmaker Kevin De Bruyne could start after coming on as a substitute in Saturday’s 5-0 win against Burnley.
For Shakhtar, Brazilian winger Taison is out after he ruptured knee ligaments. Attacking midfielder Marlos, defender Ivan Ordets, forward Dentinho and left-back Ismaily are also injury doubts.
Starting XIs and formations
How the teams could line up tonight at the Metalist Stadium:
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