Man City ‘have done nothing yet’, warns Pep Guardiola – as he challenges his Treble winners to become just the second team in the modern era to retain the Champions League

• Pep Guardiola won the Champions League twice in four years with Barcelona 
• Only record-winners Real Madrid have defended the honour in the modern era 
• Listen to the latest episode of Mail Sport’s podcast It’s All Kicking Off! 

Pep Guardiola has warned his Manchester City stars to forget about the Treble and create more history.

City lifted the Champions League for the first time by beating Inter Milan in Istanbul three months ago and kick off their defend against Red Star Belgrade on Tuesday.

Real Madrid are the only club to defend the title in the modern era and while Guardiola believes last season’s triumph has moved the dial internally, he admitted they have done nothing yet.

‘I’d like to say that for our club to win the Champions League is incredible,’ Guardiola said. ‘But in perspective, how many teams have won the Champions League once? In perspective, we did nothing special. Just one. We didn’t have it and we’re proud.

‘I was incredibly proud at Barcelona to win two in four years but we didn’t win it in a row. Let’s try to be being ourselves. If we aren’t able to win it then let’s qualify for next year and try again.

Pep Guardiola has warned that his side have not achieved anything yet in the grand scheme of things

The Citizens lifted their first ever Champions League title in Istanbul earlier this year

Your browser does not support iframes.

‘It’s the most difficult to win the first one. It’s something incredible for us, but it’s just once. Let’s go. Let’s try to win tomorrow.’

Chief executive Ferran Soriano revealed recently that he now feels ‘relaxed’ after finally conquering Europe and Guardiola added: ‘If the board is relaxed, that’s good. They don’t play!’

City’s squad took to the voting boos to elect a new leadership group after the weekend victory over West Ham United, with Bernardo Silva taking Ilkay Gundogan’s place in last year’s selection.

Kyle Walker has been wearing the armband in Kevin De Bruyne’s absence, with Ruben Dias and Rodri making up the five.

Guardiola has expressed surprise that City have a 100 per cent start to this campaign and admitted his stars were apoplectic in the London Stadium dressing room when a goal down against West Ham.

‘The players were angry. I said, “why are you angry?” We’re losing but you performed really well,’ Guardiola said.

‘If we were more clinical up front it would’ve been 3-1. We push them but it comes from them. We have an incredible mentality in the players. I’m a little bit surprised that after all the years, the Treble, this shows the team is really good.

‘Managers can do inspirational speeches but it doesn’t work. Every player has to go on their own.’

Guardiola has now won the honour three times as a coach, having done so twice at Barcelona

IT’S ALL KICKING OFF! 

It’s All Kicking Off is an exciting new podcast from Mail Sport that promises a different take on Premier League football.

It is available on MailOnline, Mail+, YouTube, Apple Music and Spotify.

Your browser does not support iframes.

Source: Read Full Article