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Manchester City logo
Champions League | Group Stage
Oct 1, 2019 at 8pm UK
 
Dinamo Zagreb

2-0

Sterling (66'), Foden (95')
FT(HT: 0-0)

City boss Pep Guardiola warns of "aggressive" Dinamo Zagreb side

City boss Pep Guardiola warns of
© Reuters
The Croatian champions top Group C courtesy of their 4-0 mauling of Atalanta.

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has warned his free-scoring side not to underestimate the threat posed by Dinamo Zagreb as the Champions League returns to the Etihad Stadium this week.

City go into Tuesday's clash in fine form, having won their four matches since the shock Premier League defeat at Norwich by a combined 17-1 scoreline.

Guardiola's men already have three points on the board in Group C following their 3-0 away win over Shakhtar Donetsk, but it is Dinamo who top the pool courtesy of their 4-0 mauling of Atalanta.

Manchester City have been in fine goalscoring form since losing to Norwich
Manchester City have been in fine goalscoring form since losing to Norwich (Peter Byrne/PA)

And Guardiola insists his side cannot afford to take the Croatian champions lightly in their first home European encounter since April's heartbreaking quarter-final exit at the hands of Tottenham.

He told a press conference: "To play five at the back and score four goals (against Atalanta) is not bad.

"They are aggressive and with long balls to the strikers, they are so strong. We have to be careful."

Manchester City's last home Champions League match saw them knocked out of last season's competition by Tottenham
Manchester City's last home Champions League match saw them knocked out of the 2018/19 season's competition by Tottenham (Martin Rickett/PA)

While City have had few problems showing their formidable firepower up front once again this season, things have not been so straightforward for them at the other end of the pitch.

The Premier League champions have lost defenders John Stones and Aymeric Laporte to injury and, with captain Vincent Kompany leaving in the summer, Guardiola has been forced to employ midfielder Fernandinho at centre-back.

The Brazil international is now 34, but Guardiola played down concerns over his ability to cope with a high workload.

Fernandinho
Midfielder Fernandinho has been employed in defence due to injuries (Peter Byrne/PA)

"If he is fit he can play (twice a week). It depends on him in terms of physical regeneration," Guardiola said.

"We have young alternatives but he has played three games in the past."

The City manager also praised the form of winger Riyad Mahrez, who has scored three goals in his last four appearances.

"He is so important. Always the players here we want (at their) best,"
Guardiola said. "He is so clinical. Defensively his commitment is higher this season and offensively you always have the feeling something is going to happen."

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League Phase

TeamPWDLPTS
1Liverpool440012
2Sporting Lisbon431010
3Brest431010
4Inter Milan431010
5Monaco431010
6Barcelona43019
7Dortmund43019
8Aston Villa43019
9Atalanta42208
10Juventus42117
11Lille42117
12Man City42117
13Arsenal42117
14B. Leverkusen42117
15Celtic42117
16Dinamo Zagreb42117
17AC Milan42026
18Bayern42026
19Benfica42026
20Feyenoord42026
21Real Madrid42026
22Brugge42026
23Atletico42026
24PSV41215
25Sparta Prague41124
26Stuttgart41124
27PSG41124
28Shakhtar41124
29Girona41033
30Salzburg41033
31Bologna40131
32RB Leipzig40040
33Sturm Graz40040
34Young Boys40040
35Red Star40040
36Slovan Bratislava40040


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