Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has swiftly redirected his team’s attention toward their crucial Champions League campaign following Saturday’s 2-0 Premier League defeat to rivals Manchester United. Speaking from Norway ahead of Tuesday’s match against Bodo/Glimt, Guardiola acknowledged United’s superiority in the derby while emphasizing the importance of securing automatic qualification for the tournament’s knockout stages.
With City currently positioned fourth in the Champions League standings with 13 points, a victory against the Norwegian side would significantly enhance their prospects of finishing among the top eight teams and bypassing the playoff round. Guardiola drew comparisons to last season’s campaign, where City faced greater uncertainty at this juncture before eventually progressing.
The artificial playing surface at Bodo’s Aspmyra Stadium has prompted unusual preparations, with City conducting their Monday training session on the match venue to acclimatize to the unique conditions. Guardiola noted the importance of adapting to different circumstances, stating: ‘Life is never a red carpet. How quickly you adjust to the comfort of situations brings you closer to success.’
In team news, midfielder Phil Foden will be available despite sustaining hand injuries during the United match, with protective measures in place. The squad also welcomes new defensive reinforcement Marc Guehi, who completed his transfer from Crystal Palace on Monday. The 25-year-old defender’s arrival provides timely support for City’s injury-plagued backline, with regular starters Ruben Dias, Josko Gvardiol, and John Stones currently unavailable.
Guardiola praised the acquisition, describing Guehi as ‘a top central defender with the perfect age to play for many years,’ while expressing gratitude to the club’s management for facilitating the defensive reinforcement during this challenging period.