Warnock expects Manchester City to be freshly motivated against Cardiff

Cardiff manager Neil Warnock fears Manchester City have had a "kick up the backside" ahead of their Premier League trip to south Wales.

City suffered a shock 2-1 home defeat to Lyon in midweek to become the first English side to lose four consecutive Champions League games.

"It's a blip and might give them a kick up the backside," Warnock said at his pre-match press conference.

"I don't think it helps us at all. They made a few changes and looked a lot stronger when they put the regulars on in the second half.

"When I watch them I think 'thank goodness we only play them twice!'

"Over the last 12 months they've stepped up to another level.

"Liverpool had to spend the best part of £200million to be anywhere near them."

The clubs met in a controversial FA Cup fourth-round tie in January which City won 2-0.

The game was overshadowed by a bad Joe Bennett tackle which left City winger Leroy Sane with ankle ligament damage.

City manager Pep Guardiola was furious with Cardiff's combative style and responded by calling for players to receive greater protection from referees.

"I totally agree with him (Guardiola)," Warnock said.

"Sane missed three games, but if you watched in the 50th minute there was a tackle from Kevin De Bruyne on Jazz Richards that put him out for 17 games.

"So I would say which is the worst?

"That sounds like a worse tackle than Bennett's, but we didn't make a song and dance about that.

"There were one or two naughty things we didn't get and everybody wrote about the one tackle that Benno knows was a disgrace.

"De Bruyne didn't even get booked, but he caught his knee badly and it should have been at least a yellow card."

Cardiff have yet to win since returning to the top flight with two draws and three defeats from their opening five games.

The Bluebirds are currently outside the relegation zone by virtue of goal difference and Warnock joked that his side's first task at the Cardiff City Stadium is to keep the score down.

"I mentioned it to Sol (Bamba) to try and keep it to single figures," he said.

"Liverpool and Chelsea are special, but I think these are the best.

"This is a unique team with everything in their locker.

"If they play they beat everyone in the country, not just Cardiff City.

"So all you can do is prepare the best you can to try and make a game of it."

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