Pep Guardiola has called on Manchester City to forget their 2-1 defeat at Newcastle and bounce back immediately in Europe this week.
City lost ground in the Premier League title race after a defeat at Newcastle on Saturday evening. The result leaves the Citizens third in the table, seven points behind leaders Arsenal, who won against Spurs yesterday.
Attention now turns back to Europe, where City host Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League on Tuesday. City are unbeaten in four games in the competition and well placed to reach the knockout rounds.
On how his side will respond to Saturday’s setback, Guardiola said at his pre-match press conference: “It’s immediately forgotten. We thought about what happened but it’s of massive importance that we have our way in the group stage.
“Now we start the last four games. Two at home, two away. Tomorrow third in the table in Bundesliga. Massively important game to finish in the first eight and we need tomorrow and one more point we will be qualified for the next round.
“Tomorrow is important and focus on what we have to do.
“We have to [move on]. What happens in the past doesn’t count.”
The fixture with Leverkusen will mark a milestone for Guardiola, who will oversee his 100th Champions League game in charge of Manchester City.
“I realise I’m getting old,” he said.
“Every game is a milestone. It’s good. It means every season we’ve been there. It’s a huge competition. It’s special for the players. To challenge yourself with the best teams in Europe is incredible, a huge experience. For the club, in terms of reputation, prestige and financial issues it’s massively important.”
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