Pep Guardiola explains surprising view on Man City’s Champions League struggles | OneFootball

Pep Guardiola has insisted that Manchester City’s perilous position in the Champions League is not a problem but an opportunity.

With a game to go of the group stage, City, the 2023 winners, are on course for an early exit as they stand 25th in the 36-team table.

They have only taken one point from their last four games and need to beat Belgian champions Club Brugge at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday to salvage a play-off place.

And Guardiola said, “The situation we have: we have to win the game, and if not, then we won’t continue in the competition.

“We want to go through to have another chance to play another two games and qualify for the next stage. It’s not a problem; it’s an opportunity, a challenge, and we will face it.”

Guardiola insisted he is not even contemplating the prospect of going out but accepted it would be a setback for City.

He said: “For the club, it would not be good, but I’m not thinking about that right now. I know for all the people concerned whether we will qualify or not, I’m thinking we're going to do it.”

Guardiola admitted City deserve to be in the position they are in, but feels their experience in knockout games will stand them in good stead.

He explained: “We are here for the reasons we know, that we have not been good enough, and this is a situation we have lived many times.”

Midfielder Oscar Bobb, who is yet to play this season because of injury, is in the City squad but Guardiola’s three January signings – Omar Marmoush, Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis – are all ineligible. They are still without the injured Rodri, Jeremy Doku, Nathan Ake and Ruben Dias.