Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has challenged his side to forget about previous Champions League exits and to try to “punish” Bayern Munich in the quarter-final second leg on Wednesday.
Manchester City go into the second leg against Bayern Munich full of confidence after a first leg in which they were the far better side.
Man City will not rest on first leg advantage over Bayern
At the Etihad Stadium last week, they won 3-0 comprehensively, thanks to goals from Rodri, Bernardo Silva, and Erling Haaland.
Before that first-leg triumph, Guardiola spoke about how City had been eliminated in previous years due to conceding a lot of goals they should not have conceded.
The manager was asked how he could be sure that these recent Champions League exits would not be on his players’ minds at Allianz Arena on Wednesday.
“We can’t think about the past – that’d be a big mistake for us – so we just prepare for this game,” he said.
“Our mindset will be to prepare for the [Bayern] game by watching the first leg, seeing what we could do better, and how we can control the game and punish them.
“We are here in Munich against one of the most historical sides in the Champions League – we are not here to defend something the three goals.
"It’s 11 men against 11 and try to be better than the opponent in this specific game. Our mindset is to try and win the game.”
Good news for City
The City boss will be delighted to be able to call on Phil Foden again. The England international is back in training after having emergency operation for appendicitis.
Foden will give City a new dimension to their attack and allow Guardiola give some rest to the in-form Jack Grealish.
12:42 - 30.03.2023
CROSS FIRE: Who is a better player? Cesc Fabregas or Kevin De Bryune?
In this episode of Cross Fire, Tunde and Tosin argue who stands out between Cesc Fabregas and Kevin De Bruyne. Who's your money on?
Related content
20:34 - 18.04.2023
Osimhen closer to Bayern move after club legend rules out major contender
Nigeria's Victor Osimhen is apparently loved in Munich and a Bayern legend believes he would be a better fit for the club than Harry Kane
15:38 - 18.04.2023
Bayern receive boost ahead of Manchester City clash as forward returns to the fold
Bayern look to a returning star as they attempt to pull off a miracle against Manchester City
14:48 - 18.04.2023
Bayern Munich vs Manchester City: 5 greatest comebacks in Champions League history
Bayern Munich will be hoping to take inspiration from past teams when they go into an almost impossible mission against Manchester City.
10:47 - 18.04.2023
UCL Bayern Munich's Thomas Tuchel says Manchester City's 'mountain' not too big
Bayern Munich boss Thomas Tuchel is under no illusions as to the task ahead against Manchester City in the Champions League but he is keeping hope alive.