Guardiola Fires Back with Brutal Four-Word Assessment of City's Champions League Dreams
When questioned about Manchester City's prospects as Champions League contenders this season, manager Pep Guardiola responded sharply: "It seems we are not considered among the favorites."
The Spanish tactician boasts an impressive European pedigree. Having won the Champions League as a Barcelona player in 1992, Guardiola subsequently guided his former club to two European crowns within his initial three seasons as head coach. It would take another 12 years and five semifinal heartbreaks before Guardiola finally claimed the coveted trophy with Manchester City in 2023.
City's title defense concluded at the quarterfinal phase, and their campaign last season ended even earlier. For the first time in his coaching tenure, Guardiola couldn't steer his team beyond the round of 16, falling to a 6–3 combined scoreline against Real Madrid in the competition's new knockout playoff stage.
That disappointing European campaign—compounded by struggles in domestic competitions—has positioned City as underdogs in the continental trophy race, at least in the perception of certain observers, according to Guardiola.
"Simply embrace this opportunity," the coach advised his squad. "We're pleased to be participating after our recent journey, so we're concentrating solely on tomorrow's match and how we need to perform, beginning this tournament positively.
"We face more fixtures than in previous campaigns, but starting poorly can create complications. Last season we drew our opening match against Inter, and we hope to improve on that result."
Guardiola's team launches their allegedly unlikely European campaign at home against Napoli on Thursday evening. The Italian champions notably secured Kevin De Bruyne as a free agent this summer after Manchester City, following Guardiola's recommendation, decided against offering the veteran midfielder a contract extension.
The 54-year-old offered a lighthearted answer when asked about his anticipation of facing De Bruyne again. "Following the final whistle," he quipped with a smile.
"Naturally, it will be wonderful to see him again," Guardiola added. "Players of that caliber adapt remarkably fast and require minimal time to settle in."