Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has revealed that his side are approaching their Champions League Group F games like finals after starting their European campaign off with a shock home loss to Lyon.
Guardiola’s team have recovered well from their opening day defeat by winning their next two games away from home against Hoffenheim and tonight’s opponents at the Etihad Shakhtar Donetsk.
“Every game is important, and you have to evaluate,” Guardiola told his pre-match press conference.
“Shakhtar is the most important because it’s the first one. After dropping points against Lyon every game is a final.
If City win tonight they will be guaranteed a place in the knockout stages and the reigning Premier League Champions attention will then turn to the Manchester Derby which will take place at the Etihad next Sunday afternoon.
“We have a chance to step into next round, then we have three or four days to think about Manchester United [on Sunday].” Guardiola added.