Manchester City is shifting its focus from the recent defeat against Manchester United to the upcoming Champions League match against Bodo/Glimt. Manager Pep Guardiola emphasized on Monday that his team’s priority is a top-eight finish in the tournament, an improved position compared to last season.
Following Saturday’s 2-0 loss at Old Trafford, Guardiola acknowledged that United outperformed them. He reiterated this sentiment two days later while addressing the media in Norway, maintaining that the team was now concentrating on the Champions League.
Guardiola remarked, “We’re immediately thinking about this different competition, the chance we have to finish in the top eight.” He avoided any discussion about the United match, stating, “When a team is better, you just have to congratulate them, improve, and move on.”
Currently, City occupies the fourth position in the Champions League standings with 13 points. A victory against Bodo/Glimt in the penultimate group stage match would significantly enhance their chances of qualifying directly for the knockout rounds.
In this stage of last year’s competition, City faced a setback against Paris Saint-Germain, ultimately making it through to the playoffs with a win over Club Brugge. Guardiola reflected on last season’s experience, recalling how, despite having a lead against PSG, they were eliminated by a 4-2 defeat. He noted, “Today we have 13 points, the chance to qualify in the top eight, so that is enough argument to be focusing on tomorrow, not on what happened in the past.”
Preparations for the match have also involved adapting to the artificial turf at Bodo. Guardiola mentioned that the team trained at the Aspmyra stadium to get accustomed to the pitch conditions. “Never, since I am here at Manchester, have I ever trained in the stadium before,” he said, adding that understanding how the ball behaves on the surface is crucial for their gameplay.
Midfielder Phil Foden is dealing with a hand injury sustained in the United match, but Guardiola confirmed that he will play with protection. Furthermore, the manager addressed the recent signing of defender Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace. This acquisition is particularly important as the team navigates multiple injuries in the defense, with key players like Ruben Dias, Josko Gvardiol, and John Stones unavailable.
Guardiola praised Guehi, stating, “He is a top central defender with the perfect age to play for many years and can play on the right or left.” He expressed gratitude to the club for securing Guehi’s transfer, highlighting the necessity of bolstering their defensive lineup amid the ongoing injury crisis.