Manchester City “apparently not” contenders to the Champions League crown as Guardiola greets return

Pep Guardiola is not focusing on Manchester City’s status as apparent foreigners for the Champions League title this season as they prepare to face club legend Kevin de Bruyne and Napoli on Thursday.

City offer an emotional greeting to De Bruyne back in May as its decorated spell with the club came to an end after 10 years.

He will return with the reigning Serie’s Champions Napoli in the The first City Championship Phase Campaign DeviceWith Guardiola men not among the best favorites to lift the trophy, at least in the eyes of the bookmakers.

City were eliminated in the playoff round from Real Madrid last season. For this term, Liverpool, Barcelona, ​​Arsenal, the holders of Paris Saint-Germain and Madrid all have shorter odds than City.

Premier League Champions Liverpool are the favorites and the choice of the title most, although Guardiola insists on paying some of the forecasts as he begins to ensure that the city starts strong.

“Apparently we are not (contenders),” Guardiola told his press conference before the match.

“Just enjoy the moment, we are happy to be here after the path we were (above) so we are focusing only on tomorrow and the game we want to play and start well in this competition.

“We have more games than the previous seasons but if you start with a bad result it can be difficult, last season we brought the first game against Inter (Milan) and hopefully we can do better.”

City are already six points after Liverpool in the Premier League after losing two of their four opening games, although they went on the right track with a 3-0 derby win over Manchester United on Sunday.

Asked if the Champions League or the Premier League is his priority, Guardiola replied: “(my priority) is the next game and has always been since I arrived here.

“We don’t choose the next game and in 10 days we go to Huddersfield (in the EFL Cup) and then that will be the most important. We take every game seriously.”

Napoli have declared three wins out of three to start their scudetto defense, with De Bruyne already on the target twice to Antonio Conte’s side.

Guardiola is not surprised by how De Bruyne quickly flourished in Serie A, and is restoring with Belgium international.

“(I’m looking forward to seeing it) after the game,” added Guardiola.

“Of course it is nice to have back. Players at that level (Serie A) adapt so quickly and do not need much time to adapt.”