Pep: Against Barca, We Never Thinking of a Draw”

Pep Guardiola says his team is targeting a victory on his return to Nou Camp this week.

Manchester City were handed a daunting task when they have to go to Estadio Nou Camp to face competition favorite Barcelona in Group stage match of the European Champions League. In the last game against Scotland champions Celtic, the Citizens only grabbed one point after being held to a 2-2 draw. It means, Pep’s team head to Catalan with two-point gap.

If Manchester City could not get 3 points from this match, both Celtic and Monchengladbach have the chance to close in on 2^ndplace of the group. However, the former Barca and Munchen manager is not entertaining such thoughts, he said that his team is never thinking of a draw.

The man who won the European Champions League twice as Barca manager said that he has never thought about the next game thinking a draw would be a good result.

“Of course, the game would be complicated. No win in Celtic means that we have to take points from Barcelona, whether in Nou Camp or Etihad, as well as in Germany when we go for Monchengladbach.” said Pep to http://www.bolaonline888.com

“My team has four games left, and we have to win two. We need to get 6 points if want to enter the next step. We are going to try to win the first points in the next game, and that is sure.”

Manchester City dominated Saturday’s Premiere League match against Everton but the result is quite disappointing for them because they has to settle a 1-1 draw. Dutch veteran, Marteen Stekelenburg saved two penalties from Kevin de Bryune and Sergio Kun Aguero. When he was asked if a draw at Nou Camp would be a good result, Pep said that he does not know because it depends on the game.

“If you play like Saturday, then the result is not good, but is Barca plays much better than what we do, maybe it is a good result.”

Manchester City will go into the match with the early-season optimism because they created 10 successive wins. But they were disappointed of the last three games after they collected only 2 points.

Everton boss whom is also former Pep teammates in Barcelona believes that Manchester City has the opportunity and capability to win in Nou Camp.

The former Southampton boss said that Manchester City are pretty powerful as a team to earn a good result in Nou Camp however, all of them can score out of on chance. 

Especially when they play against Messi, Neymar as well as Suarez. Further he explained,  “When a team like Barcelona gets four chances, then I think they will score three times because the quality they have are so extremely high. But I think City can beat Barcelona, because they will also have the ball. This is the best game you can watch between the philosophies of two great teams. I think. It is really high standard football match and I would not miss the chance to watch such interesting game”.

Chelsea, Liverpool and Juventus Eyeing Up Neves

According to Portuguese media, Visao de Mercado, Chelsea FC are preparing an £ 18 million bid for Porto ace, Ruben Neves. The Roman Emperor have targeted Neves as Conte looks to strengthen his midfield area. Reports are also mentioning that Italian giant Juventus and in-form Premiere League club Liverpool are also monitoring Neves situation.

Neves recorded two caps for Portugal. Burst onto the scene in the 14/15 season, when he made his debut when he was just 17 years old. Five days after his debut, Neves was played in the Champions League match and became the youngest ever Portuguese player to appear in the European competition.

In the 15/15 season, Neves was appointed to captaincy, which means that he became the youngest captain in the Portuguese giant’s history. Because of his ability to keep the ball and organize strategy, big things were expected from him.

Media and experts said that Neves’ ability is similar to Portuguese legendary midfielder, Deco. However, he has faded from view in recent months. Neves has only managed 4 games for the Dragon this season, and never been played in European competition. Though being overlooked in favor of Renato Sanchez, many clubs, including Chelsea have not dropped their interest in the talented midfielder.

Meanwhile, another Premiere League club, Liverpool is also monitoring Neves’ situation. It looks like Liverpool boss Jürgen Klopp wanted to strengthen his midfield area with such powerful, young talent despite he has brought some new names last summer. However, even some names have been bought by Liverpool, including Senegalese Mane, Holland midfielder Wijnaldum and Serbian Grujic, Klopp still unable to find an ideal defensive midfielder. German versatile Emre Can was sided for some matches because of injury and veteran James Milner was played as a left back.

For Juventus, Neves seems to be an ideal option after they have lost Paul Pogba who moved to Manchester United. They have brought Miralem Pjanic from Roma but it seems that Allegri is still unsatisfied. If the Italian giant successfully land Neves, they would have some options in the midfield that would help them face tight schedules. However, Porto seems to ask high price Neves admirers.

Ruben Neves is Portuguese sensation. His name started to raise after Porto boss Julen Lopetegui called him to be part of the main squad’s pre-season. The manager being impressed with his ability as defensive midfielder. His Primeira Liga debut was made on 15 August 2014, when he was still 17 years old and 5 months. He is also the youngest player in the Dragon’s history to score goal in the Primeira Liga.

Neves described as natural defensive midfielder who is not afraid to leave his position and help prompt attacks. Neves has a great maturity and also given an accurate passing skills. His great vision and astute sense of positioning are often compared to former Barcelona and Portuguese legend Deco and Joao Moutinho. The 19-year-old midfielder is also known as hard worker, which seems to be the reason why Liverpool interested in him.