Champions League

Pep Guardiola calls for calm as Manchester City chase treble

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 06 March 2018

Guardiola calls for calm as City chase treble

Pep Guardiola says that it is important his Manchester City players remain "calm" in their pursuit of two more trophies before the season's end.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has warned his players that they cannot afford to ease off in their pursuit of a famous treble.

The Citizens have already lifted the EFL Cup in the Catalan coach's second campaign at the Etihad Stadium helm, courtesy of last week's resounding 3-0 victory over Arsenal.

Just four more wins are required to add the Premier League trophy to their collection while, barring a major collapse at home to Basel in Wednesday's second-leg tie, City will also be in the last eight of the Champions League.

Guardiola, who has won countless major honours during spells with Barcelona and Bayern Munich, acknowledges that he must keep expectation levels in check.

"We are so close [in the Premier League]. I'm not going to be false and say we're not - we are so close and we need four games," he told reporters at Tuesday afternoon's press conference.

"The most important thing is it's in our hands but as I've said many times, we are almost in the quarter-finals and we have almost won the Premier League.

"We are not in the quarter-finals and we are not the champions yet though. That is the reality and that's why you have to be calm. In sport, when you are done you're done but for now, be calm."

City's hopes of winning the quadruple were recently put to an end, however, as they suffered a shock 1-0 loss to Wigan Athletic in round five.