"We can't dream too much about the Champions League"

This Wednesday, Manchester City faces Porto in the debut of both teams in the current season's Champions League. Olympiacos and Olympique de Marseille will play each other in the other Group C match.

The coach Pep Guardiola spoke to the media in the prematch against the Portuguese team: "Every season starts the same, so you know the answer. It's just the first game, the first step. We are very far from thinking about bigger goals. We can't dream much about what has happened in recent years. The home games are very important so as not to suffer in qualifying".

"I still have the feeling that we are very close. Every time I analyse why we have been eliminated I think about it. But there are also actions that tell me that we don't deserve to go through. I know what the reality of this club is: the next step is to take a step forward in the Champions League", he added.

On the defeat against Olympique Lyon last year, he said: "It was a tough moment and I feel responsible. We have to accept that we were not good enough. We dreamed of the highest expectations, but we have to accept the situation with humility. Now we are starting again from scratch".

This is how Guardiola sees Porto
The Catalan coach analysed the match against the team coached by Sérgio Conceiçao: "Every time I play against a Portuguese team I know how difficult it is. Portuguese football is exceptional. The quality they have, even on the bench. I enjoy watching the national team".

"I grew up with Portuguese footballers like Figo, Couto or Victor Baia in Barcelona. I am Catalan, our climate, lifestyle and food are similar. Your national team is one of my favourites. Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the best players. They have a great generation and a fantastic team. The Portuguese must be very proud," he added.

In addition, Guardiola stressed the importance of debuting in Champions with a win: "I can not deny that when you play the first game away it's not as important as the first game at home, so the game this Wednesday is vital".