Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has charged his players to be at their best when they host Belgian side Club Brugge in their last UCL group game of the season.
The Cityzens host the Belgian champions on Wednesday, needing a win to secure qualification for the next round of the competition after dropping out of the qualifying spots in the last Matchday following their 4-2 loss to Paris Saint Germain.
The 2023 Champions have only won twice in their seven games and the former Barcelona coach believes the team must approach the game ‘like a final’ to prevent a shock group stage exit.
“The situation that we have is that we have to win the game and if not we will not continue in this competition. But it’s not a problem, it’s an opportunity, a challenge, and we will face it.
We would like to score a lot in the first 20 minutes but I don’t think it is going to happen. The approach is to read the game we have to play – be completely relaxed, no emotions and understand the game”, Guardiola said.
The Premier League Champions come into the game on the back of an impressive 3-1 win over Chelsea in the English Premier League on Saturday, and will be expected to come out victorious in Wednesday’s match.
“I know these type of games you have to put in something special – something there has not been enough of so far in this Champions League – to win the games.
It would not be good [to lose] but I’m not thinking about that right now”, he added.
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