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Manchester City Are 'Still Not Ready' To Win The Champions League, Says Pep Guardiola

Manchester City Are 'Still Not Ready' To Win The Champions League, Says Pep Guardiola

Pep Guardiola, who hasn't won the Champions League since his tenure at Barcelona, has said that Manchester City can still "improve."

Adnan Riaz

Adnan Riaz

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has argued that his side are not ready to lift the Champions League crown as they aren't ruthless enough in front of net.

The defending Premier League champions bounced back from their shock 2-0 defeat against Watford with a 2-0 victory over Crystal Palace on Saturday.

Gabriel Jesus opened the scoring in the first half and David Silva doubled their lead minutes later, but Guardiola was far from convinced with the display at Selhurst Park.

The City boss was critical of the 22-year-old Brazilian striker in the dying stages of the match after he chose to shoot instead of setting up the unmarked Kevin De Bruyne for his side's third.

According to Guardiola, City's missed chances against Palace showed why his side could miss out on the Champions League crown again this season.

"The last action... like when he has to pass to Kevin, he has to do it," Guardiola said.

"But he is so young. We missed a lot of chances and also lost a lot of chances in the box. We have to be clinical.

PA
PA
PA

"The people say about the Champions League, that target. We still are not ready.

"We create a lot, don't concede, but can improve.

"We've scored a lot over the last two seasons and I don't have doubts about that, but we have to keep going, work on that."

City's mistake of not capitalising on chances almost came back to haunt them, but the in-form Ederson pulled off a sensational save to deny Christian Benteke.

Guardiola has been heavily criticised for not winning Europe's elite club competition since lifting his second Champions League with Barcelona in 2011.

PA

The 48-year-old Spaniard, who was appointed City boss in 2016, has failed to progress past the Champions League quarter-finals with his current side.

City are second in the Premier League and are six points behind league leaders Liverpool, who dropped points in a 1-1 draw against Manchester United on Sunday.

Guardiola's men will resume their Champions League campaign when they host Atalanta at the Etihad on Tuesday.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Manchester City, Football News, Selhurst Park, Football, Pep Guardiola, Premier League, Champions League, Crystal Palace