Pep Guardiola Focuses on Facing West Ham in the Premier League, Not the 0-3 Deficit Against Real Madrid

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola stressed that his team's current focus is solely on the Premier League match against West Ham United, not on overturning the large deficit in the Champions League.

City faces a difficult situation in the European competition after a 0-3 loss to Real Madrid in the first leg of the Champions League Round of 16. 

But for Guardiola, the immediate priority remains this weekend's league match.

“You have to play the game in front of you, and then we'll see if we still have a chance or not. It is difficult,” Guardiola said on the Manchester City website on Friday.

Full Focus on the Premier League

The first-leg defeat significantly reduced Manchester City's chances of progressing to the Champions League Quarter-Finals. 

However, Guardiola chose not to dwell on discussions about a potential comeback.

The second leg against Real Madrid is scheduled for next Wednesday at the Etihad Stadium.

Instead of thinking about that match, Guardiola emphasized the importance of maintaining consistency in the Premier League.

“I think the Premier League is the most difficult competition to win, and we are still in the fight. If we drop points, everything could be over,” he said.

Tight Race at the Top of the Premier League

Manchester City currently sits second in the standings, trailing leaders Arsenal by seven points. 

But City still has one game in hand, potentially narrowing the gap.

This situation makes every league match crucial, including the game against West Ham. Failure to secure full points would further diminish City's title chances.

West Ham Need Points

On the other hand, West Ham has significant motivation as they are also under pressure.

The team managed by Nuno Espirito Santo is currently third from the bottom and fighting to escape the relegation zone.

This situation suggests the match at the Etihad will be fiercely contested, with both teams needing points.

Guardiola believes this game will be a crucial test for his team in maintaining consistency throughout the season.

“Every game is very important and we have been fighting for months in the Premier League. We won't give up until the end without trying," Guardiola said.

With a congested schedule between domestic and European competitions, Manchester City faces the challenge of maintaining focus from one match to the next.