Manchester City vs PSG not a ‘personal battle’ with Pep Guardiola, Mauricio Pochettino says

The PSG manager put previous battles with the Manchester City boss to the side ahead of Wednesday’s semi-final first leg

Andy Hampson
Tuesday 27 April 2021 13:55 BST
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Mauricio Pochettino insists Paris Saint-Germain’s Champions League semi-final against Manchester City is not a personal battle between him and Pep Guardiola.

The Argentinian also says his memorable victory over City in the competition with Tottenham two years ago will have no bearing on the contest.

French champions PSG, runners-up last season, host City in the first leg of their last-four tie on Wednesday.

Pochettino said at his pre-match press conference: “It’s not a personal battle, it’s not a personal game. It’s a battle between two very good teams.

“When you talk about Pep Guardiola you are talking about one of the best coaches in the world, if not the best. I admire Pep not only for the titles but the legacy that he is building in football.

“I love being involved in football and trying to learn, to compete and win, but it is a game between two big clubs. It’s not going to be an easy game for either side.”

Pochettino’s Spurs beat City in dramatic circumstances in the quarter-finals in 2019. City thought they had won the tie with a late goal in the second leg at the Etihad Stadium, but it was ruled out by VAR and Spurs went through on away goals.

Pochettino said: “There is nothing you can take from two years ago. It was a completely different game, a different approach and different teams. Always we live in the moment and the reality is this is completely different.

“Manchester City today are different and I am in PSG, which is a completely different club to Tottenham.”

PA

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