Pep Guardiola showers Erling Haaland With Praise
Pep Guardiola, Manchester City's manager, stated that the treble season "is already over," emphasizing that their focus is solely on reaching the Champions League quarter-finals this Wednesday, "without looking any further."
City faces Copenhagen on Wednesday with a 3-1 advantage from the first leg and the opportunity to reach the quarter-finals for the seventh consecutive season.
"It's better to be here now when we've already won the Champions League, but as I've said several times, the treble season is already over. It's in the past," Guardiola said on Tuesday during a press conference.
"Now that we're here, we have to win matches, and tomorrow we have the chance to reach the quarter-finals again, and that's the goal. I don't think much beyond that."
Guardiola also spoke about Erling Haaland, who also addressed the media.
"What impressed me the most from the beginning was how quickly he adapted, that and his character off the pitch, always someone focused and kind," the Spanish coach confessed.
Thanks to the advantage from the first leg, Guardiola might rotate players, especially considering their recent comeback against Manchester United and their upcoming match against Liverpool on Sunday, with the Premier League at stake.
"The lineup will depend on how the players feel. The competition is important because in football, anything can happen, and you can't afford to be distracted. I have a lot of respect for Copenhagen. They know how to defend and have a good system. The Champions League is the Champions League, and our goal is to be among the best eight."
Guardiola has the entire squad available except for Jack Grealish, who was injured a week ago against Luton Town and has no return date yet.