London, Oct. 17, (GNA/dpa) – Pep Guardiola has warned his Manchester City side not to get cocky over their impressive play with a major Champions League test on the horizon.
City host Serie A leaders Napoli on Tuesday looking to make it three wins from three in the group stage.
Guardiola's side have made a frighteningly good start to their season, winning 10 and drawing one while outscoring the opposition 37-5.
Their 7-2 Premier League thrashing of Stoke City on Saturday was their ninth straight win overall and the fifth time they've scored five or more goals.
As dominant as they've been, Guardiola is doing what he can to make sure his players aren't overconfident ahead of the showdown with the Italian front runners.
“If they think that, they will be stupid,” he said. “That isn’t going to happen.
“I am going to show Napoli to my players – how good they are. “Napoli can kill you with high pressing. They are able to press our keeper.
“But I’m very happy to have the opportunity to play this kind of game.”
City lead Group F on six points, three more than Shakhtar Donetsk and Napoli, as the midway point of the stage approaches.
A third straight win would keep them on a clear path to knockout stage qualification but it won't come easy.
Napoli have won 11 of 12 games in all competitions so far, with their only blemish a 2-1 loss to Shakhtar in their Champions’ League group opener last month.
Coach Maurizio Sarri's team have responded with six wins on the bounce, capped by a 1-0 victory at Roma on Saturday which kept them two points clear in the league.
Despite the wealth of talent at his disposal, Guardiola is hoping to get some extra backing from the home crowd at the Etihad Stadium.
"Hopefully, on Tuesday against one of the best teams in Europe we can receive and feel their support because in the Champions League we need it,” he said.
"If we are able to win, we will almost have qualified for the knockout rounds.
"I encourage you the fans to come on Tuesday because they will see an amazing game - two teams with the same idea: high pressing, win the ball, short passes dynamic in front.
GNA
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