Yahoo Sports Guardiola: We take nothing for granted in Champions League
Pep Guardiola says his City squad are well aware our successes in recent years will make us favourites for most games we play.
We are on a record-breaking run of four consecutive English top-flight titles and remain World Champions after last year’s FIFA Club World Cup – which we qualified for thanks to our Champions League triumph in the 2022/23 Treble campaign.
Guardiola and his players are currently in Slovakia where we will play Slovan Bratislava in our second Champions League clash of the season on Tuesday evening.
After a goalless draw with Inter in our opener, we're looking to pick up three points this time around.
Slovan Bratislava v City | Match preview
Slovan began their competition with a 5-1 defeat at the hands of Celtic.
This is the first time our opponents have reached the competition proper and it's also the very first time we have faced a side from Slovakia.
Ahead of that encounter, Guardiola was asked how he deals with the expectation of being favourites in ties against sides from all over Europe.
“When you have won four Premier League titles in a row in one of the toughest leagues in the world and a Champions League winner two years ago, we accept we are favourites when we play,” he said.
“They did not give me 2-0 before the game - it starts 0-0, same pitch. We have to prove it. The rest I am not concerned about.
WATCH: Pep Guardiola Press Conference - Slovan Bratislava (A) - Champions League
“I learned nothing is for granted. The media is going to say how beautiful we are but always you have to do it. Nothing comes for free.
“Always I have an incredible opinion of my opponents and my colleagues. I never win a game just thinking because I am here or Barcelona and Bayern Munich. Always I try to give credit and especially for our opponents.”
Phil Foden is yet to start in the Premier League or Champions League this season.
The 24-year-old spearheaded our success last year, winning a host of individual awards as he scored 27 goals in 53 appearances across all competitions.
Guardiola believes it won’t be long until the Academy graduate is again at this best.
“I have some doubts about many things but I know Phil will be back. He feels good,” he stated.
“Playing at St James’ Park I felt something that I like and I didn't see for example against Watford.
“You cannot forget for a month and a half, two months he did not train, with niggles and problems with his health.
“Now he is smiling and finding his rhythm, we cannot forget he was the best player in the PL last season.
“I have no doubt his love of football, his passion like he has since the first time he land in the first team for Man City.”
Slovan Bratislava v City app coverage
Our official app allows you to follow all of the action from Bratislava in one place.
Minute-by-minute text updates will begin in our Matchday Centre two hours before kick-off, while our Matchday Live show will begin at approximately 18:45 (UK).
Nedum Onuoha and Shaun Wright-Phillips will be guests on the latest Matchday Live show, offering their expert insight before, during and after the action.
They will also answer viewer questions throughout the broadcast, with audience participation actively encouraged on Matchday Live. To get in touch, send a WhatsApp to: +447537186538.
During the game you can also listen to live audio commentary from Alistair Mann and Nicky Weaver while our text commentary continues.
Make sure to have push notifications turned on as well, so you can be alerted to key moments in the action, including goals, red cards and the team news.
Highlights from the match will be available as will a full-match replay on CITY+.
