Gvardiol: We will be there | OneFootball

Josko Gvardiol believes City are back on track and will challenge strongly on all fronts this season.

Our Etihad Player of the Year, fielding questions from the media at the pre-Bayer Leverkusen press conference, was asked if the Blues’ league form suggests the team are better suited to knockout competitions.

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But the 23-year-old Croatian believes he and his team-mates are doing well on all fronts – not just the cup competitions.

“Is it easier to play in cup competitions?] I don’t think so. I think we’ve been doing really good,” said Josko.

“We don’t play alone; there are many good teams and it’s difficult to play away.

“We prefer to play at home. whether that’s in the Champions League,, Carabao Cup, FA Cup or Premier League, mentally we are prepared for all the games.

“We want to perform and be the best we can. The season is still long, and we will be there. From now on, things will be easier.”

Josko was also asked about the Premier League title race.

Arsenal’s 4-1 win over Tottenham saw the North Londoners go seven points clear of City – but with more than two thirds of the season still to play, he believes many things can still happen.

“I don’t know, honestly,” he said.

“Two to three months ago, we were in a much worse situation than now. There’s many games to play and we need to go game by game, be mentally clear and recover well. We will see at the end.

“First of all, I am happy we are all healthy and available to play. We need players. The manager needs everyone, especially when you play every three days.

“The rhythm is quite difficult to deal with. It’s much easier than last season. We still have a lot of work to do.

“Every game is a priority, that’s why we play football. No matter which competition it is, we want to win all the games.”

Josko also says he is glad last season is in the past, adding: “It’s the worst season so far that I have done. It was painful. I remember last season I couldn’t sleep at night.

“I was trying to help the team and the club to get out of this position, but things were not going the way we wanted.

“I’m glad it’s behind us and we recovered well. In football I say It’s good that in three days there is a new game, it forces you to forget what happened.

“We all see already that the situation in the club is much different and in a better way than last season.”

And ahead of our clash with Bayer Leverkusen, our No.24 admits he would love to experience winning the trophy one day with City.

“I am full of ambition. I am still young, and of course, I’d like to win the Champions League,” he said.

“We are aware how difficult it is to win it. All the best teams are included but one day, it would be nice to get this trophy.”

City v Bayer Leverkusen tickets on general sale

Tickets are on general sale for City’s Champions League clash with Bayer Leverkusen at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday 25 November.

With 10 points from our first four games in this year’s league phase, Pep Guardiola’s side are in excellent form in Europe’s elite club competition.

Only sides in the top eight after eight matches will progress directly to the Round of 16, so every game counts!

German champions in 2024, Leverkusen will provide a stern test and have ambitions of a famous victory under the Etihad lights.

With prices from just £15 for Under-18s and starting at £35 for adults, it’s the perfect opportunity to see two of the best sides in Europe go toe-to-toe.

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