Guardiola: Man City Not Seen as Champions League Favourites — And That’s Fine
Pep Guardiola has admitted that Manchester City are not being seen as one of the top contenders for this season’s UEFA Champions League — and he’s completely okay with that.
Speaking ahead of City’s opening group stage clash against Italian champions Napoli at the Etihad on Thursday night, the City manager acknowledged that his side are flying under the radar, with bookmakers tipping the likes of Liverpool, Barcelona, Arsenal, and defending champions Paris Saint-Germain as more likely winners.
“Apparently, we are not [favourites],” Guardiola said with a hint of a smile during Wednesday’s pre-match press conference. “We just have to enjoy the journey. We’re happy to be here. In the past, we’ve been contenders. But we’ve only won it once — and that shows how difficult this competition really is.”
City are looking to bounce back in Europe after a disappointing early exit last season, where they were knocked out by Real Madrid in a dramatic two-legged play-off — a painful blow following their historic 2023 triumph when they lifted the Champions League trophy for the first time.
A New Chapter for City
Much has changed since that famous night in Istanbul. Guardiola has overseen a significant squad overhaul, with several long-serving players — including Kevin De Bruyne, Ilkay Gündogan, and Ederson — moving on in the last two transfer windows.
After a slow start to the Premier League campaign — losing two of their first three matches — City returned to form with a resounding 3-0 win over rivals Manchester United last weekend, a result that could signal their return to rhythm just in time for Europe.
Guardiola made it clear that his focus is on starting strong in the group stage and not getting caught up in outside expectations.
“We’re just focusing on tomorrow and the game we have to play,” he said. “Starting this competition well is the only thing that matters right now.”
Emotional Return for De Bruyne
Thursday night will carry extra emotion for City fans as Kevin De Bruyne returns to the Etihad, this time wearing Napoli colours. The Belgian midfielder joined the Italian champions in June after a decade with Manchester City, during which he won multiple Premier League titles and became one of the club’s most iconic figures.
Guardiola spoke warmly of his former midfield maestro but admitted the reunion would have to wait until after the final whistle.
“Of course, I’m looking forward to seeing him — after the game,” he said with a smile. “Players at his level don’t need much time to adapt. He has the vision and the talent to perform well anywhere.”
Donnarumma Ready for New Chapter
City’s new first-choice goalkeeper, Gianluigi Donnarumma, also addressed the media ahead of the Napoli clash. The Italian international joined City on deadline day in a £26 million move from Paris Saint-Germain, where he won the Champions League just a few months ago.
Despite his success in France, Donnarumma said he had no hesitation about leaving PSG.
“My desire was to come here. This was my first and only choice,” he said. “I’m proud to be part of this club and ready for this new challenge.”
As Manchester City prepare to begin another Champions League journey — one that will be marked by change, reflection, and new faces — Guardiola is keeping things simple: forget the labels, forget the pressure, and just play the football.
