After a week of Champions League drama which saw Manchester United upset PSG and Ajax demolish Real Madrid, Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola is urging caution ahead of this week's clash with Bundesliga side Schalke.
Speaking at his press conference today, Guardiola was asked how he rated his team's chances given some big names had made surprise exits.
“We've had good results away in the Champions League," said Guardiola. "Here in the past, there are problems but, in this competition, every game is different. It is something special. One week ago, we didn't expect what would happen at Paris St Germain or Real Madrid. Every game is different.
“We must play the perfect game and do what we need to do to go through. We still have a job to do.”
Guardiola went on to describe City as "teenagers" in the competition, lacking the experience of the likes of Liverpool and Manchester United. He said: “We could make another step this season, but you need 20, 30 years… we cannot deny, if we arrive in last stages of this competition, we make another step forward, but I think to compare with other teams, one success doesn’t change it.
“We are teenagers in this competition. That's how I feel. We push ourselves. Will not be happy if we don’t go through. We want it. The best way is to feel this kind of pressure. You have to dream, to point as high as possible.
“At the same time, accept there are other teams thinking the same. We cannot deny how strong they are. “We want to compete. We have to have the desire to compete and face them.”
Despite Guardiola's comments, City are the competition favourites and continue to lead the way in the Premier League.
We must make incredible efforts in epic situations to go through.
What happened in the first game can happen in the second one.
We'll try and play a perfect game and do what we need to do to go through.
