Guardiola: I am responsible for the departure against Lyon

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said he feels responsible for the departure of the heavenly team from the Champions League competitions in the latest version in favor of Lyon in the quarterfinals (3-1), and also confirmed that it increases the presence of a player of the stature of Virgil Van Dyck in the English Premier League championship. From the strength of the competition.

Manchester City are preparing to face the Portuguese on Wednesday, in the first round of the group stage of the 20/21 UEFA Champions League.

During the match press conference, Guardiola said: “The win against Arsenal was important to us. After losing to Leicester City, the team was in good shape during the match.”

He added: “We were unable to prepare well for the new season, it was an honor for us to continue the Champions League last season, but our preparations for the new season were delayed due to Corona’s injuries affecting some team members. All of them clubs are playing this season under difficult circumstances. “

And the Catalan coach added: “We have to win tomorrow (against Porto), we are still a bit far from where we want to be.”

Regarding the team’s injuries, he said: “Alex Zinchenko has returned. Many players have also become good, such as Ilkay Gundogan, Bernardo Silva and Joao Cancelo. Gabriel Jesus, Kevin De Bruyne and Emeric LaPorte are expected to return in the coming weeks. “.

When asked about Liverpool’s impact after Virgil van Dyck’s injury, he said: “I can’t talk about that, Juergen Klopp (Liverpool manager) can do that. We wish him a speedy recovery and a good recovery, I don’t like it. that competitors lose important players for a long time. “

He continued: “I don’t know Van Dyck well, but I think he is a strong person and he will come back well. We are waiting for his return because the Premier League with good players becomes the best.”

And about losing to Lyon (3-1) and leaving the Champions League quarterfinals in the last edition, the City manager said: “They were difficult moments. I was responsible for that. I saw how the club and the players They fought, but we have to accept that we were not good enough. “

He continued: “We didn’t play badly, we had the opportunities, but we made mistakes that we paid for. Now we have to advance and improve and take advantage of the new opportunity … We will start from scratch again.”

And about facing Porto, he replied: “Every time I play against Portuguese teams, I know how difficult it is, it is a good challenge for us.”