MX23RW : Saturday, December 28 06:37:45| >> :120:25259:25259:

Pep Guardiola wary of PSG's "incredible" attacking talent

Pep Guardiola wary of PSG's
© Reuters
City will have to contain the likes of Neymar and Kylian Mbappe in their Champions League semi-final.

Pep Guardiola admits Manchester City will have their work cut out to keep Paris St Germain's big guns quiet in their Champions League semi-final.

The Premier League leaders travel to the French capital for the first leg of their last-four tie on Wednesday.

PSG, runners-up last season, boast the likes of Neymar and Kylian Mbappe in attack and Guardiola anticipates a difficult evening.

Kylian Mbappe is one of PSG's most feared players
Kylian Mbappe is one of PSG's most feared players (John Walton/PA)

The City boss said: "They are incredible top players. We are going to try to stop them.

"We are not good in our defensive departments. We are good with the ball. Our strong point defensively is because 11 players run a lot.

"Tomorrow, unfortunately, we will have to run more and more because PSG are so strong."

Guardiola, who twice won the Champions League as Barcelona manager, has stressed the occasion is something his players need to savour.

It is only the second time City have reached the last four and the first since Guardiola took charge in 2016.

Guardiola has urged his players to make the most of the occasion
Guardiola has urged his players to make the most of the occasion (Rui Vieira/PA)

He said: "Enjoy the travel, the coffee in the airport, the hotel, watching the other semi-final, the walk, the training.

"We're privileged to be one of the best four teams in Europe this season. It has to be enjoyed."

Guardiola has a fully-fit squad for the encounter at the Parc des Princes.

He said: "Everyone is fit and ready – and happy, all the players. We are grateful to have this opportunity. For us it is something new and we are incredibly grateful to live it. It is so nice to go to Paris for all of us."

Forward Riyad Mahrez says there is a strong determination to succeed within the squad following last season's disappointment.

City were one of the tournament favourites last year but crashed out to Lyon in the quarter-finals.

Mahrez said: "It was the biggest disappointment of my career (but) it helped us a lot this season. This season we were so determined to go through."

ID:445052: cacheID:445052:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:6098:
Written by
P A
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Paris Saint-Germain manager Mauricio Pochettino pictured on February 16, 2021
Read Next:
Mauricio Pochettino insists Man City clash is "not a personal battle"
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool17133140172342
2Arsenal18106235161936
3Chelsea18105338211735
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest1810442419534
5Newcastle UnitedNewcastle188553021929
6Bournemouth188552721629
7Manchester CityMan City188463026428
8Fulham187742623328
9Aston Villa188462629-328
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton186842726126
11Brentford187383232024
12Tottenham HotspurSpurs1872939261323
13West Ham UnitedWest Ham186572330-723
14Manchester UnitedMan Utd186482124-322
15Everton173861522-717
16Crystal Palace183871826-817
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1843112940-1115
18Leicester CityLeicester1835102240-1814
19Ipswich TownIpswich1826101633-1712
20Southampton1813141137-266


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!