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Jurgen Klopp’s team visits the Etihad Stadium in the Premier League, but Group C’s clash with Olympiacos is the first priority for the Manchester City manager
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola says he will choose his strongest team to face Olympiacos in the Champions League despite facing rivals Liverpool just five days later.
Illnesses and injuries have impacted Guardiola’s options in a season in which he has had his worst start as a manager, including Saturday’s 1-0 win over Sheffield United.
City are off to a better start in the Champions League, winning their first two games against Porto and Marseille.
But with a test schedule, Guardiola wants to secure qualification for the round of 16 as soon as possible and cautioned that the Greek champions cannot be taken lightly.
When asked if Liverpool’s game would enter his selection thoughts, Guardiola said: “No, no, no. We have a great opportunity, not to qualify, but if we get nine points, it is almost over. We will need one more point.” . one more win to qualify.
“At home you have to win, you have to be careful. Now it’s Olympiacos. They were able to beat Marseille at home. We have to prepare well and then we have time to prepare for Sunday.”
Injuries to Sergio Agüero and Gabriel Jesús have left Guardiola without a recognized striker for much of the season, but the Brazilian could be back for the Liverpool clash after returning to training late last week.
Without them, City have just nine goals in six Premier League games but, after having eight shots on target against the Blades on Saturday, Guardiola says he is happy with his team’s creativity.
“One day we are going to score more goals. The most important thing is that we are creating opportunities, ”he said.
“We had 16 shots, eight on goal, and that’s a lot. We have played this season without forwards but we have to try to play better and do it over and over and over again. We are finally going to find the right time to do it.”
The summer signing of Ferran Torres has put us as an emergency striker, scoring the first goal in the win in Marseille and leading the line at Bramall Lane.
The Spanish international played the role at times for the former Valencia club and Guardiola has been delighted with the way he has assumed responsibility.
“We wanted to play with him as a winger,” added the City boss. He has the quality to score goals, in the one-on-one game and his rhythm, but we have struggled a lot in the forward position.
“We haven’t had anyone in a long time. He did very well. He had three chances to score a goal, putting those runs behind and he did an even better performance than against Marseille.”
“He is an incredible alternative for us. He is very well installed in the dressing room. He is so shy but so calm.
“He wants to learn and he has helped us a lot in the positions we have without the forwards. It is an alternative that we have.”
