MX23RW : Thursday, April 25 12:29:10| >> :120:70419:70419:

Pep Guardiola warns Man City to prepare for physical battle at Porto

City have already secured qualification to the Champions League last 16 but are still hunting down top spot in Group C when they travel to Portugal.

Pep Guardiola has warned that Manchester City's Champions League trip to Porto could be a feisty affair.

City have already secured their place in the last 16 and manager Guardiola has said the immediate focus is now firmly on domestic matters.

Yet with top spot in Group C still to be resolved and Porto also needing a point to join City in the knockout stages, Guardiola is not expecting the encounter at the Estadio do Dragao to be tame.

The first game between City and Porto saw words exchanged between Guardiola and opposite number Sergio Conceicao
The first game between City and Porto saw words exchanged between Guardiola and opposite number Sergio Conceicao (Martin Rickett/PA)

City needed to come from behind to win a hard-fought clash between the sides 3-1 at the Etihad Stadium in October.

"It will be a tough, physical game for sure," said Guardiola. "It was (in Manchester) and I saw their game against Marseille. They have an incredible team spirit, they fight for each other.

"Their physicality is outstanding and it will be tough. But that's normal, it's the Champions League away."

The first game between the two clubs saw some needle between the two benches, with Porto boss Sergio Conceicao later accusing Guardiola and his backroom staff of attempting to influence officials' decisions.

That was a complaint from the Portuguese that Guardiola was clearly unimpressed by.

Guardiola said: "It's his opinion but I don't agree. We didn't pressure the referee. We are not this type of team to do this kind of thing. It's not a part of who we are."

City have travelled to Portugal without record goalscorer Sergio Aguero, who is still troubled by discomfort in his knee. The Argentinian is the only notable absentee from an otherwise fully-fit squad.

Benjamin Mendy is back in the City picture after injury
Benjamin Mendy is back in the City picture after injury (Mike Egerton/PA)

Guardiola is hoping left-back Benjamin Mendy can continue to make a strong impression after capping his recent return from injury with a goal – his first for the club – in Saturday's victory over Burnley. The Frenchman's three years at the club have been riddled with fitness problems.

Guardiola said: "It's so important for us that he's fit. Scoring goals is the last thing I want from him as what I want from him is to defend well, and be fit and be focused. That is what everyone wants from Benji.

"The first step is that he has played two lots of 90 minutes and played quite well but still we have to wait. With Benjamin it depends on him."

ID:424573: cacheID:424573:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:6928:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola pictured on November 8, 2020
Read Next:
Pep Guardiola hits back at Sergio Conceicao criticism of touchline behaviour
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal34245582265677
2Liverpool34228475344174
3Manchester CityMan City32227376324473
4Aston Villa34206871502166
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs32186865491660
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd33165125150153
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle331551369541550
8West Ham UnitedWest Ham34139125463-948
9Chelsea32138116157447
10Bournemouth34129134960-1145
11Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton321111105250244
12Wolverhampton WanderersWolves34127154654-843
13Fulham34126165054-442
14Crystal Palace34109154456-1239
15Brentford3498175259-735
16Everton34118153648-1233
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3479184260-1826
18Luton TownLuton3467214775-2825
19Burnley3458213769-3223
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd3437243392-5916


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!