Manager Pep Guardiola urges Manchester City to beat Young Boys in the fourth round of the Champions League Group G to secure their spot in the knockout stage ahead of schedule.
Manchester City tops Group G with a perfect nine points, defeating Red Star Belgrade, RB Leipzig, and Young Boys with identical 3-1 scores. RB Leipzig is currently in second place with six points, while Red Star Belgrade and Young Boys both have one point.
Suppose Manchester City continues to win against Young Boys at Etihad Stadium today. In that case, they will secure their spot in the knockout stage ahead of schedule and make it 11 consecutive times advancing from the Champions League group stage. During this period, other major English clubs such as Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, and Tottenham have failed to qualify for the Champions League at least once.
“That achievement is fantastic,” Guardiola said at the press conference before the match. “For many years, qualifying for the Champions League has been a success for Manchester City. Of course, we still have one or two chances if we don’t advance early from the group stage. But hopefully, we can complete the task tomorrow.”
With the Champions League title last season, Guardiola and Manchester City won the UEFA Super Cup for the first time by defeating Sevilla. They will also make their first appearance in the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup, to be held in Saudi Arabia in December. The tournament has determined the clubs competing, including Manchester City, the host Al Ittihad, Copa Libertadores champion Fluminense, AFC Champions League champion Urawa Reds, CAF Champions League champion Al Ahly, CONCACAF champion Leon, and Oceania champion Auckland City.
Having won the FIFA Club World Cup three times with Barcelona in 2009 and 2011 and Bayern Munich in 2013, Guardiola believes that Manchester City will face challenges in their debut at the competition, despite being highly rated. “We will go there to compete because it is our dream,” the Spanish manager expressed. “The club has never won this tournament, so sometimes the players talk about it in the locker room. I know they want to add something new to their memorable careers.”
Erling Haaland suffered a calf injury and left the field early in the second half of the 6-1 victory over Bournemouth in the Premier League last weekend. Guardiola stated that the Norwegian striker was feeling better but would consult with the medical team. He also revealed that the World Cup 2022 champion Julian Alvarez would be pushed forward as a striker if Haaland couldn’t play.
Guardiola was also asked about his former assistant Mikel Arteta’s criticism of the match officials and VAR for “disgraceful” decisions in the 0-1 loss to Newcastle. “This is a sensitive issue, with many incidents happening in various matches. It’s tough for referees and us too,” the 52-year-old coach responded. “I feel like there is confusion about everything in every country. My emotions are always high in every game, but organizers prohibit coaches from complaining to referees.”
