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Manchester City\u2019s bid to retain their Champions League title will be less difficult than their long endeavour to win Europe\u2019s top club competition, manager Pep Guardiola said on Monday.<\/p>\n
City lifted their first Champions League crown with a 1-0 win over Inter Milan in Istanbul in June, bringing an end to years of disappointment and near misses in the competition.<\/p>\n
Asked about City\u2019s chances of retaining the title ahead of their Group G opener at home to Red Star Belgrade, Guardiola told reporters: \u201cIt\u2019ll be easier. The most difficult to win is the first one. It is incredible for us but it is just one.<\/p>\n
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However, Guardiola said his players should not feel at ease, adding: \u201cTomorrow is the first step. We will try and get the first three points.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s important the players don\u2019t feel relaxed. For our club to win the Champions League is incredible but in perspective how many (clubs have) won one Champions League? A lot.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe haven\u2019t done anything special with just one, but we are incredibly proud.\u201d<\/p>\n
Guardiola said the injured trio of Jack Grealish, John Stones and Mateo Kovacic, who all missed City\u2019s 3-1 win at West Ham United on Saturday, would still not be available on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think they are getting better, they are not for tomorrow,\u201d Guardiola added.<\/p>\n
\u201cHopefully for Nottingham Forest (in the Premier League on Saturday) or coming games because we need it because we have not a big squad at that moment but it is what it is.<\/p>\n
\u201cLook how we prove (ourselves) without them in the last games. Hopefully, they\u2019ll be back soon because we need the competition.\u201d<\/p>\n
City also won the Premier League and FA Cup to seal a treble last season but despite that success, England right-back Kyle Walker said there was no shortage of motivation in the squad.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s our job (to be motivated). We\u2019re at a massive club for a reason,\u201d he told reporters.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt comes from within that you have to keep going and be motivated. The manager wants to win more, he doesn\u2019t settle for second and we need to follow in his footsteps.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat we\u2019ve done is in the past now, it\u2019s a new season. The manager drew a diagram and had us at the bottom of the mountain and we have to climb it again. Going again is what separates good teams from great teams.\u201d<\/p>\n
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