Skip to content

Pep Guardiola plays down Manchester City's Champions League chances

Pep Guardiola during Manchester City's Champions League group game against Hoffenheim
Image: Pep Guardiola appears to be targeting the semi-finals with Manchester City

Pep Guardiola has played down Manchester City's chances of winning the Champions League this season.

The Premier League champions are currently second in Group F after a home defeat to Lyon and win at Hoffenheim from their opening two matches.

City were knocked out of last year's competition by runners-up Liverpool in the quarter-finals, and Guardiola appears to be targeting the semis this time around.

Nabil Fekir and Ilkay Gundogan during the Group F match of the UEFA Champions League between Manchester City and Olympique Lyonnais at Etihad Stadium on September 19, 2018 in Manchester, United Kingdom.
Image: Manchester City were beaten 2-1 at home by French Ligue 1 side Lyon in their opening group game

Speaking at the Festival dello Sport in Italy, where he was part of a panel discussion alongside Arrigo Sacchi and Carlo Ancelotti, Guardiola was asked if Manchester City were considered favourites for the Champions League.

He said: "No. Our history tells us that a semi-final is the maximum we could get. I don't know if we are ready. We should be very, very good to be favourite.

Manchester City's Spanish manager Pep Guardiola looks on from the stands during the UEFA Champions League group F football match between Manchester City and Lyon at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England, on September 19, 2018.
Image: Guardiola watched their opening Champions League defeat to Lyon from the stands because of a suspension

"Juve, for example, are getting closer and closer."

City's next clash in Group F is away to Shakhtar Donetsk on October 23 before the return game at the Etihad on November 7.

Hoffenheim's German defender Kevin Akpoguma (L) and Manchester City's Argentinian striker Sergio Aguero vie for the ball during the UEFA Champions League group F football match between TSG 1899 Hoffenheim and Manchester City at the Rhein-Neckar-Arena in Sinsheim, southwestern Germany, on October 2, 2018
Image: Manchester City won 2-1 away at Hoffenheim in their second group game

Guardiola's side then go to Lyon on November 27 looking to avenge their 2-1 home defeat to the French side, before their final group game against Hoffenheim on December 12.

Play Super 6
Play Super 6

Predict 6 correct scores for your chance to win Jeff's £1 million.

Around Sky