Guardiola: “Crisis, crisis, I don’t know if it’s a crisis”

Manchester City are already confirmed as group winners before the match in Leipzig

Manchester City conclude the Champions League group stage with an away game in Leipzig on Tuesday night. The Citizens are already in contention for top spot in Season A – Pep Guardiola will therefore use the match to deploy players from the second tier.

Basically, there is nothing at stake. At least for Manchester City, who are already qualified for the last 16 of the top flight before the final group game and have relegated Paris St. Germain to second place.

While RB Leipzig are still fighting with Brugge for the Europa League ticket, ManCity are already confirmed as group winners. Pep Guardiola will therefore want to put one or two talents from the youth academy to the test when the Premier League leaders visit Leipzig on Tuesday night. “There are four or five coming with us,” Guardiola said on Monday, then spoke of using “maybe two or three.”

When they find their rhythm, they can destroy an opponent.

That doesn’t mean ManCity aren’t taking the game seriously though, quite the opposite. Looking at Leipzig, Guardiola insisted: “If they find their rhythm, they can destroy an opponent.”

The 50-year-old does not want to make too much of the fact that RB have not only lost their last three Bundesliga games but have also made a coaching change. “Crisis, crisis,” Guardiola said, “I don’t know if it’s really a crisis.” RB, he said, still excelled in pressing and a quick switching game. His team has to be on its guard – especially as it will not be playing with its best line-up in Leipzig.