Cancelo: Man City deserves to win the Champions League
The City should embrace the pressure that comes along trying to win the Champions League, according to Joao Cancelo.
Joao Cancelo
thinks that
Manchester City“deserve to win the
Champions League” and believes they should embrace the pressure that comes with it.
City were not successful in last season’s competition at the last hurdle, being defeated at the hands of Chelsea 1-0, with
Kai Havertz
’s opener proving crucial in the Blues’ victory.
City had their first progress beyond quarter-final under the reign of Pep Guardiola and Cancelo is keen on helping his side grab the trophy this time.
"
This club deserves to win the Champions League,"
Cancelo said ahead of City's round of 16 first-leg clash at Sporting CP on Tuesday.
"It's what this club works towards and it's what we are trying to do this season.
"The team are going through a good phase. We don't concede many and we score a lot. That reflects our daily work. Now, we concentrate on the Champions League. Against Sporting – that's the game we want to win.
"We're a very strong team. The players we have know how to deal with the pressure of getting to the Champions League final - but we are up against the best teams in Europe. We need to embrace pressure."
The City boss praised his side’s confidence, saying that their 2-1 loss at the hands of RB Leipzig in the group stage was due to a lack of mental preparation.
"
Confidence [has always been] high [within the squad],"
Guardiola said.
"Not just this season or the previous season. We have been behaving for a long time with the highest standards. We had an incredible run [in the Champions League last season].
"In Leipzig, we weren't ready mentally after already qualifying, the rest was good. I say every day, compete for ourselves. Every three days, we've done that for the last years and will do that again tomorrow.
"The harmony [within the squad] right now is exceptional. Thanks to the captains and many reasons. It is exceptional. We know each other well. It’s been six seasons, we know each other perfectly. We accept the good things, the bad things, to fight and be part of that."
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