Pep Guardiola: My Manchester City legacy is already exceptional
Pep Guardiola insists the coming weeks will not define his legacy at Manchester City because it is “already exceptional”. City are on the brink of their fifth Premier League title in six years under the Spaniard and could land the treble as they also chase FA Cup and the so far elusive Champions League glory. Wednesday brings the chance to reach the final of the European competition as they host Real Madrid in the second leg of a semi-final delicately poised at 1-1. Winning the Champions League has long been viewed as the club’s ultimate goal, but Guardiola – a two-time European champion with Barcelona who has collected nine major trophies in total with City – does not think his reputation depends on it. He said: “My legacy is already exceptional! “(We have been) here many times already. We are not stupid, (we) know how important tomorrow is – maybe the most important since we’ve been here. “I say to the players, live it, enjoy the moment and how fortunate we are. It’s in our hands, it depends on us. “We don’t have to do anything exceptional – be ourselves, give everything. I have an incredible feeling about the team. Whatever happens, thank you for bringing us here again. “The legacy is that we’ve had one hell of a time and for many years they (the fans) will remember a generation of players who for five or six years scored lots of goals and conceded very few, and that we won lots of things and won very well, and people should remember that. It would be a good book. “Whether or not they will remember us I don’t know, but we have had a good time.” City dominated for large spells of last week’s first leg at the Bernabeu but Real were more incisive on the counter-attack and created more clear-cut opportunities. City now have home advantage for the return but Guardiola feels his side will have to take their performance up a level. He said: “The emotion is there and will be high – (it) has to be high – but just this is not going to beat a team like Real Madrid. “We need a bit better gameplan, to adjust a little bit, create more chances for our strikers. “We play against Real Madrid in the semi-final of the Champions League, the toughest opponents. It’s a challenge but we go for it. “We arrive really good. We’re in the FA Cup final, one game from the Premier League, but we have to play better than Madrid. We have to perform well, not just have the desire.” City are again without defender Nathan Ake due to a hamstring injury but otherwise have a fully-fit squad. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Rory McIlroy lowers expectations for US PGA Championship after his Masters agony Manchester City ‘owe’ club’s owners Champions League success – Kyle Walker Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun’s switch from England to USA approved by FIFA
2023-05-16 23:22
Singleton to be called up by Astros, after last playing in majors for Houston in 2015
Jon Singleton is being called up by the Houston Astros, returning to the team he last played for in 2015
2023-08-08 03:58
Glover beats Cantlay in playoff in FedEx Cup opener for second straight win
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Lucas Glover made three big putts just to stay in the game and then hit the most important shot — on dry land in a playoff — to beat Patrick Cantlay on the first extra hole and win the FedEx St. Jude Championship on Sunday for his second straight victory.
2023-08-14 09:18
Fox Sports to Televise the 2023 Armed Forces Cup From Champions Retreat in Augusta, Ga
AUGUSTA, Ga.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jun 21, 2023--
2023-06-21 21:18
On and off pitch, Messi an instant hit in Miami
Lionel Messi's impact for Inter Miami has been clear to see, with three goals and an assist in 120 minutes on the field, but his team-mates say his influence behind...
2023-07-27 06:23
Getafe confirm loan signing of Mason Greenwood from Man Utd
La Liga club Getafe have confirmed the loan signing of striker Mason Greenwood from Manchester United.
2023-09-02 06:29
Rickie Fowler ends title drought, getting a major monkey off his back with Rocket Mortgage win
Rickie Fowler cemented his official comeback with a PGA Tour win at the Rocket Mortgage Classic, defeating Adam Hadwin and Colin Morikawa in a playoff and finishing at 24 under.Resplendent in bright orange, the relief was palpable as Rickie Fowler made birdie on the playoff hole, touched his put...
2023-07-03 10:55
Harrison Barnes scores 33, powers Kings past Jazz 130-114 in season opener
Harrison Barnes scored 33 points to lead the Sacramento Kings to a 130-114 victory over the Utah Jazz
2023-10-26 12:28
Isaac Price targets improvements after Northern Ireland suffer Kazakhstan defeat
A frustrated Isaac Price said Kazakhstan had been “there for the taking” in Northern Ireland’s 1-0 Euro 2024 qualifying defeat at Windsor Park on Monday night. Northern Ireland could not convert any of the 13 efforts they had at goal – with only one on target – and were punished at the death as Abat Aimbetov broke away to snatch an 88th minute winner. It was a third consecutive 1-0 defeat for Michael O’Neill’s side, but where Friday’s loss away to Denmark had brought optimism, given a battling display against the group’s top seeds, a home defeat to a side ranked 50 places below Northern Ireland left a flat feeling. “It’s very tough to take, frustrating really,” said Price. “We know we weren’t good enough. We knew they were there for the taking and we didn’t take our chances. We have to look back on it and improve for the next fixtures in September.” O’Neill knows he must be patient with the many youngsters pressed into service ahead of schedule given an injury list which stretches into double figures. Price, 19, is on that list but the midfielder was not cutting himself any slack after the match. “Personally I wasn’t good enough, technically on the ball and I didn’t create enough chances,” he said. “It was the same for the whole team really. We have to improve in the final third. “We’re not too bad at the back, but we conceded a silly goal at the end so instead of taking a point, we lost everything. There are so many areas where we can improve. We have two tough away games coming up in September, we have to go and try and get three points in both Isaac Price “There was optimism coming in from the game on Friday night. We thought we deserved more against Denmark. We have to look back at the game and see where we can improve. There are so many areas where we can improve. “We have two tough away games coming up in September, we have to go and try and get three points in both.” Price, earning only his fourth cap, was starting a second-consecutive match, having also been asked to play in an advanced role behind the lone striker in Copenhagen. “I’m delighted to play, the experience is something which you can’t get anywhere else,” he said. “International football is very different to the football you play at your club.” Price is now set to start a new adventure, having this month signed a four-year contract to join Standard Liege after rejecting a new deal at Everton. The move promises the opportunity to get more playing time and learn in a very different environment. “I can’t wait to go over now,” he said. “Hopefully I can improve a lot more over there and in a different side of the game. It’s a lot more technical. “I just can’t wait to get over and get started now.”
2023-06-21 05:47
Newcastle held 2-2 by Leeds, manager Howe accosted by fan
Newcastle dropped more points in its push for Champions League qualification by drawing 2-2 at Leeds as the relegation-threatened team stayed in the Premier League’s bottom three
2023-05-13 21:58
Barcelona vs Porto: Complete head-to-head record
A complete head-to-head record between Spanish side Barcelona and Portugal's Porto including five famous meetings.
2023-11-29 03:23
Jim Curtin has 'had enough' with Red Bulls antics in Leagues Cup triumph
Philadelphia Union head coach Jim Curtin explained that he was unimpressed with New York Red Bulls' antics in their Leagues Cup clash.
2023-08-12 00:22
You Might Like...
Bucs quarterback Wolford suffers neck injury in pre-season game
Alexia Putellas is back in time for the Women's World Cup as Spain looks for glory
Mohamed Salah urged to stay at Liverpool for the rest of his career
Tyson Fury promoter Frank Warren hits out at ‘boring’ Anthony Joshua performance
MLB Rumors: Cardinals ace connection, Surprise Yankees-Astros trade, Red Sox trade buzz
False fire alarm blares for several minutes at Women's World Cup match between Portugal and US
Brittney Griner set for first WNBA game since detainment in Russia
Which sports have banned trans athletes from women's category? Martina Navratilova hits back at Megan Rapinoe's stance on matter
