Pep Guardiola: Man City may find it easier to defend Champions League than win it for the first time

Now Man City, they begin the defence of their European crown when they welcome Red Star Belgrade to the Etihad tomorrow. Pep Guardiola has just finished speaking to the media and our reporter Vinny O'Connor was there for us. So we can say a very good afternoon to Vinny. And now Vinny, Guardiola then, is he confident that Man City can retain their European crown? Yeah, I don't think confidence is a problem, particularly when you start at the season with five straight wins in the Premier League. You lead the table by a couple of points as well. And you are the defending champions going into the Champions League competition as well. Ferran Soriano, in fact, has obviously made the point that the place is a little bit more relaxed now that they've delivered that first Champions League. And that also in itself breeds confidence, doesn't it? But Pep Guardiola today, when we spoke to him, also made the point that in context, really, it's just one Champions League title that they've been able to deliver. While other clubs, of course, have won multiple Champions League titles. So yes, there's confidence that they can go again. But I think the most important thing is that certainly amongst Guardiola and his players, there is the hunger to go again as well. We are going to play this competition thinking how nice we were, how nice it is to win. OK, we have it. Yes, that belongs to us. OK, competition gives us a new challenge. Go for it. Try it. At least try it. And I'm not having any doubt we're going to try. That means, like I said, just Madrid, or maybe in the Rigo Sacchi period with Milan, his exceptional Milan, did it in a row. So the rest of the teams, I was incredibly proud to be manager of Barcelona team in that period. We won two times in four years the Champions League, but we didn't win it in a row. So it's so difficult. But OK, just try it. Be ourselves. If we are able, OK. If we are not able to do it, like the previous six seasons together, qualify for the next season and try it again. So Vinny, confidence not a problem then for Pep or his team. But they will be without some key players tomorrow, won't they? Yes, it's been an injury list that has grown slightly over the last few weeks or so. Obviously Kevin De Bruyne, we know, is out until the new year. But those injuries, Kovacic, obviously the last time we saw him in action was in the victory over Fulham. He was withdrawn late in the game. He joined up with Croatia during the international break, but didn't play in those games against Latvia or Armenia. Still out with a back problem. John Stones as well hasn't played since the Community Shield with that thigh problem. Jack Grealish, also the last time we saw him was against Sheffield United when he set Erling Haaland up for the opener on that occasion. But also having a bit of a thigh problem as well. So it's a busy couple of weeks coming up for Manchester City. A busy 11 days in fact. Four games in the next 11 days, including that game against Red Star as well. So in terms of whether any of those injured players are going to be fit in time to face Red Star, well this is what Pep Guardiola had to say this afternoon. Well I think they are getting better. I think they are not for tomorrow. Hopefully for Nottingham or next coming games we need it. Because we have not a long squad in that moment. But it is what it is. Look how we proved without them in the last game. Hopefully they come back soon because we need the competition. We need Jack to compete with Jeremy Ducoult. And how important it is. Both really have to play good to be in the squad. Otherwise it is difficult to sustain for a long time without them. But it is what it is. The seasons happen. Many teams happen. And yes we accept it.