Pep Guardiola has admitted the pressure has been lifted at Manchester City following the club’s Champions League success last season.
Manchester City were crowned champions of Europe for the first time after beating Inter Milan in last season’s final, with Rodri’s winner ending an elusive wait for Champions League success and completing a treble.
Guardiola’s side face Copenhagen in the second leg of their last-16 tie on Wednesday evening, holding a 3-1 advantage as the holders look to book their place in the quarter-finals.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference ahead of the game, Guardiola said City must move on from their treble win but admits it is ‘better’ to enter this season’s Champions League with experience of winning the competition.
“It’s better to be here having already won the Champions League but like I said it’s [the treble season] is over. It’s apart.
“Once we are here we have to win games and tomorrow we have the chance to be in the quarter-finals again and this is the target. Other than that I don’t think too much.”
City are strong favourites to progress to the next round and Guardiola was asked whether he could rotate his team, ahead of a huge clash with Liverpool in the Premier League this weekend.
“Selection depends on the players on how they feel. The competition is so important because in football everything can happen and you have to be aware of that. We want to qualify and that is the target.
“I have a lot of respect for Copenhagen. They defend, they have a good system. The Champions League is the Champions League and our aim now is to be in the best eight teams is our target.”
