Pep Guardiola has challenged his Manchester City side to achieve something special and win back-to-back Champions League titles.
Pep Guardiola is urging his Manchester City team to aim for a remarkable feat – securing consecutive Champions League titles.
The team, who clinched a treble, are commencing their European title defense with a home match against Red Star Belgrade at the Etihad Stadium this Tuesday.
While Guardiola acknowledges their past accomplishments with pride, he believes their journey is far from complete.
The City manager said at a press conference: “I’d like to say that for our club to win the Champions League is incredible – the first time in our history – but, in perspective, how many teams have won the Champions League once?
“A lot have won two, three, four, five. In perspective, we did nothing special. It’s just one.
“Let’s go. Let’s try to win tomorrow against a team so aggressive, so fast up front.”
Guardiola is viewing the challenge as nothing different to past seasons, although he accepts the pressure of trying to defend the trophy will be easier than when trying to win it for the first time.
“It’s most difficult to win the first one,” he said. “But every season we start the competition in the first game with the target to win the first game, then the group stage, then try to win the Champions League. Nothing changes from before.
“The same for Red Star tomorrow. It depends on our performance and our level.
“We’re incredibly happy to defend this crown but this competition doesn’t allow you mistakes.
“But always we were so strong at home, nine points from nine. When that happens you can win just one game away and you qualify. Tomorrow is the first step.”
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