Ahead of the all-important derby, manager Pep Guardiola on Wednesday said the midweek clash with Club Brugge in the UEFA Champions League is “much more important” than Saturday’s tie against Manchester United.
Between the start of City’s match against the Belgians at the Etihad and the start of the age-old duel at Old Trafford, there are just 64 hours.
Some managers may prefer to keep their squad fresh for a cross-city encounter after thrashing Philippe Clement’s side 5-1 just a fortnight ago, but Guardiola feels the Champions League fixture is the important game.
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“This is much more important than United,” Guardiola said during a press conference, according to The Sun. “This game can give us an incredible step to make the last 16.”
“In the Premier League there are many games, here there are just six and only three are left. So we have to take it seriously to make a good performance and take a step forward in qualification,” he added. “The group stages every year get more difficult. If you drop more than one or two defeats, we’re in trouble. We lost in Paris, so we have to take advantage of being at home.”
The Sky Blues are currently second in Group A, which has Paris Saint Germain, Club Brugge and RB Leipzig. With three games remaining, with a win against the Belgian club, City could almost secure a last 16 spot.
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Meanwhile, in the Premier League, City lost 2-0 to Crystal Palace at home on Saturday, However, Guardiola insists although the results might say otherwise the team has been playing as well as they have throughout his five-year reign.
“We are at an incredible level, the way we are playing in the last month, month-and-a-half,” he said, further adding, “in terms of the way we are playing, I would say one of the best moments, maybe the best moment since we’ve been here.”
“Results we have to improve but many things we are doing really, really well.”
