Thursday 16 March 2017 07:18, UK
Pep Guardiola says Monaco are "the best team in the world at scoring goals" but insists Manchester City will not sit back on their lead on Wednesday night.
City are 5-3 up ahead of their Champions League last-16 second leg clash at the Stade Louis II following a pulsating opening 90 minutes at the Etihad, but Guardiola says it would be a "huge mistake" to try and sit on that advantage against a team which has scored 123 goals this season.
Monaco are three points clear of Paris Saint-Germain at the top of Ligue 1, with both the side enjoying a renaissance under Leonardo Jardim, and Guardiola is extremely wary of the threat City face.
"We have to play the game, focus on what we have to do. It would be tiring for us to think about running the clock down, that would be a huge mistake, to think about what we have done [already]," he said.
"They are the best team in the world at scoring goals, they attack with five or six players, they are physically strong, fast in short spaces.
"When a team scores 123 goals it shows they can score in many different ways, so the best way [to handle them] is to score goals. Take the ball and attack as much as possible. It's the only way to beat a team like this."
Guardiola led Barcelona to two Champions League triumphs in 2009 and 2011 and reached the semi-finals three times with Bayern Munich and he called on his City side to keep their focus if they are to reach the last eight this year.
"Here, has to be the game," Guardiola said, tapping his forehead twice to underline what his players need to bear in mind. "We know with 2-0, 3-1, 4-2 [defeats] we are out. We know that.
"I want to see a team from the first minute looking to win the game. After that, at this level everyone can beat you, but I don't like my team to speculate. If you think only about defending for 90 minutes because you won 5-3, you kill yourself. What we have to do is go to score goals.
"I am sure tomorrow will be a fantastic game again. I invite the people to come here. They are going to see a good game tomorrow, I am sure of that."
Guardiola has reached seven Champions League semi-finals already in his coaching career and is keen to take another step towards making it eight with a positive result in Monaco but was reluctant to elaborate on whether he thinks City are equipped to win the competition this season or beyond.
"I don't know. I would like to think about it, to say 'yes.' I'm so comfortable here. I'll never forget how they take care of me and give me everything," he said. "But it's my eighth year and I knew how complicated this competition is. You lose five minutes of concentration and you're out.
"I don't know if we're able to win the Champions League. I don't know. I don't know. But be sure we are going to try. Absolutely.
"I am so satisfied already about my personal success. When you see the potential quarter-final rivals they are top, top clubs. I cannot answer if we will win the Champions League but getting to the quarter-finals would be a dream for me and the players."
