ESSEN, Germany (REUTERS) - Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola has said his side are clear favourites in Wednesday's Champions League last 16 first leg but hosts Schalke 04 have the quality to pose a serious threat.
City are top of the Premier League on goal difference while Schalke, last season's Bundesliga runners-up, are languishing in 14th place in the standings.
Guardiola, who coached Bayern Munich for three years before joining City, said on Tuesday (Feb 19) that the German side were a force to be reckoned with in front of their home crowd.
"I think the quality is there. Schalke is always fighting, the expectations are always high and last season they did it," the Spaniard told reporters.
"Every team wants to qualify for the Champions League and they did it. Sometimes to maintain that level is tough, but it is two games and the quality is there and the stadium is there. We know that."
City forward Gabriel Jesus and defender John Stones have missed the trip with minor injuries as the English champions look to set the foundations for a last eight spot.
City have won the Premier League three times since the Abu Dhabi United Group bought the club in 2008 but have never got past the semi-final stage of Europe's elite club competition.
They have been knocked out in the last 16 three times in the last five seasons while their only semi-final appearance came in 2016 when they were eliminated by Real Madrid.
"We have to control our emotions, suffer the bad moments, The right moments make the difference," Guardiola said.
"We are confident. We arrive with many dreams in our heads. We want to try and score goals. We will try to get a good result to finish the job in Manchester."
"Manchester United can confirm that Marouane Fellaini has left the club on a permanent transfer," United said in a statement on their website. "Everybody at United thanks Marouane for his service and wishes him well for the future as he completes his move to Shandong Luneng Taishan FC in China," the statement added.
Jürgen Klopp has set Liverpool a mammoth points target and hailed the Anfield atmosphere, report the Liverpool Echo. The Reds performed when the pressure was on once again, beating Chelsea 2-0 thanks to early second half goals from Sadio Mane and Mo Salah.
Jurgen Klopp hails Liverpool's f ighting spirit as he sets
Ronaldo returns as Real Madrid fall to Betis; Correa, Carrasco lift Atletico. Atletico Madrid extended their unbeaten league start to five matches with a 2-1 win at Athletic Bilbao. Atletico
Atletico Madrid Grab Late Win Over Eibar - beinsports.com
Ajax stun Ronaldo's Juventus to reach Champions League semis Teenage centre-back De Ligt struck midway through the second period, though, to seal a 3-2 aggregate win and set up a last-four clash
UEFA Champions League: Ajax stun Ronaldo's Juventus to reach
Messi's motivation spurs on Barcelona, says Rakitic. BARCELONA: Ivan Rakitic has said Lionel Messi's desire to win the Champions League is proving an inspiration for Barcelona ahead of their Champions League semi-final first leg against Liverpool on Wednesday.
Messi's motivation spurs on Barcelona, says Rakitic
Yuya Osako scored twice as Japan overcame a spirited Turkmenistan side 3-2 to claim three points in the AFC Asian Cup Group F opening match in Abu Dhabi. It was a brave performance by Turkmenistan
Opinion: Heavyweight Ryan Reaves-Adam McQuaid scrap a
allmysportsnews.com/nhl/opinion-heavyweight-ryan-reaves-adam-mcquaid-scrap-a-microcosm-of-nhl-fighting-debate/
Football: Osako double saves the day for Japan in 3-2 Asian Cup win over Turkmenistan »
Yuya Osako snatches shock victory for Japan in opposition to
tmssmagazine.com/yuya-osako-snatches-shock-victory-for-japan-in-opposition-to-10-man-colombia/
It is difficult to imagine a team making a more calamitous start to a game in this World Cup finals than Colombia did here and, unfortunately for José Pékerman and his players, there was another blow to come on top of being a goal and a man down inside a chaotic first six minutes.
Japan 1 - Ivory Coast 2 | Reuters.com
Apr 27, 2019 · LONDON (AP) — Norwich is returning to the English Premier League after a three-year absence, and Sheffield United is likely to be promoted, too. Norwich, from eastern England, clinched one of
Norwich Promoted To Premier League After Three-Year Absence
Ferrari's Fernando Alonso believes his growing world championship lead "means nothing" and that the title race is still wide open. The Spaniard won in Germany to move 34 points clear of Red Bull's
Man City v Liverpool: The best ever English title race?
"I just don't think we were good enough with our movements, and the final ball at times. 2019, with the headline 'Milner wants team to deliver better final ball'.
Milner wants team to deliver better final ball - theworldnews.net
(REUTERS) - Liverpool's stunning victory over Barcelona in the Champions League semi-finals on Tuesday (May 7) was made possible by the belief manager Jurgen Klopp has instilled in his squad, according to Jose Mourinho. Liverpool produced one of the greatest comebacks in the competition's history to beat Barcelona 4-0, overturning a three
Jurgen Klopp mentality behind Liverpool's historic comeback
Qatar boss Felix Sanchez says his side must operate on a game-by-game basis after a 6-0 win over North Korea secured progression to the AFC Asian Cup last 16. Almoez Ali scored four as Qatar put in a rampant display on Sunday to move top of Group E, and will now take on Saudi Arabia to decide who claims pole position.
Synonyms of high-stakes gambler | Thesaurus.com
Giroud eyes Platini's record after scoring again for Les Bleus
0 comments:
Post a Comment