Pep Guardiola dismissed the tag of Man City being favourites to win the Champions League this season.
City won their 19th straight game in all competitions as they beat Borussia Monchengladbach 2-0.
AFP or licensors
It was a dominant performance by Man City in Budapest as they took control of their last-16 tie.
Joao Cancelo provided a wonderful assist to teammate Bernardo Silva in the first half and they never looked like relinquishing control.
The second was added by Gabriel Jesus after yet another Cancelo cross found Silva, but this time he headed to the striker instead of going for goal.
The result gives City two crucial away goal heading into the second leg in three weeks time with a place in the quarter-final up for grabs.
AFP or licensors
The Champions League has been the competition that has eluded Guardiola at City and this season could be their best chance of claiming it.
When asked it his side were favourites, Guardiola told BT Sport: ”When I see Bayern, I wouldn’t think so. I say again, my target is West Ham. For a long time we thinking every game we try to win from Cheltenham to Old Trafford. Next challenge is West Ham at 12.30.
“If the people say that we have to accept it but [we are] the team who only arrives once in the semi final in ten years. If they say we can win it, no problem.”
AFP or licensors
On City’s performance against Gladbach, Guardiola added: “In general was good, we controlled the game apart from one action at the end. Unfortunately today we weren’t clinical upfront, when we were 1 v 1 and that’s something we have to improve in this competition.
“First leg is always more difficult but in this competition we don’t have many chances and upfront we have to be more clinical. The one against one or against the defenders we were not able to even dribble. In this competition you have to be perfect to go through.”
Asked how City have gone on their sensational 19-match winning run, Pep responded: “We have a lot of money to buy a lot of incredible players.”
from Football - news, transfers, fixtures, scores, pictures https://ift.tt/2ZTMovr
via IFTTT
No Comment