Champions League: Bayern Munich boss Pep Guardiola wary of Manchester City
Wednesday 17 September 2014 20:06, UK
Bayern Munich boss Pep Guardiola reckons Manchester City are among the main contenders to win this season’s UEFA Champions League.
City have yet to make much of an impression in European football’s elite club competition, despite winning two Premier League titles in three years, while teams with a fraction of their resources have made their mark.
One of the brighter spots in City’s recent Champions League campaigns came last season when they beat Bayern 3-2 at the Allianz Arena as they just failed to topple the hosts from top spot in their group.
Guardiola was impressed by City’s performance that night, as well as the application of David Silva, Edin Dzeko, Vincent Kompany and Yaya Toure.
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And the Bayern coach is expecting another tough encounter as the teams open up their Group E campaign on Wednesday in Munich.
Guardiola said: "Manchester City won with Kompany, Toure, Silva, Dzeko last year - fantastic players.
"They needed to win here to learn something, to learn they are able to win the Champions League.
"Last season they were able to win the Champions League and this year they are ready to win the Champions League, like eight, nine or 10 teams more who can win this trophy. We would like to be one of those teams.
"City were a strong team last year. That is why they won the Premier League and deserved to."
Meanwhile, Guardiola believes the absence of City’s local rivals, Manchester United from this season’s competition is proof success cannot be taken for granted.
Guardiola said: "It is a good lesson for the big clubs if we think we are unbeatable, that we are so strong.
"Every year we need to make the good things or maybe next season you could be out. That is why football is magnificent. Every single week you have to be ready.
"The local competition - the Premier League or the Bundesliga - is the most important because that shows you every week you are ready."
Watch Bayern Munich v Manchester City live on Sky Sports 5 at 7.45pm on Wednesday.
