Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola believes that his team is set to explode to life after the win over Olympiakos in the Champions League on Wednesday night. The two teams met for the second time in three weeks at the Karaiskakis Stadium in Athens, the Greek capital and the outcome was same as the first meeting between the two clubs at the start of November. Guardiola spoke about the imminent return to form of his team during his post-match press conference at the end of the game.
In the first meeting at the Etihad Stadium on matchday three, hosts Manchester City ran out 3-0 winners to maintain their winning run in the competition this season. Spanish international Ferran Torres was signed by Manchester City from Valencia in the summer and he gave the Citizens a first half lead before Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus and Portuguese fullback Joao Cancelo scored in the final ten minutes to make it a comprehensive win.
In the second meeting on matchday four on Wednesday, only one goal separated the two teams as Olympiakos were beaten 1-0 at home by their English opposition. The lone goal was scored by Manchester City midfielder Phil Foden on 36 minutes off a pullback from fellow England international Raheem Sterling.
Manchester City were dominant throughout the matchday four clash but had to settle for the win via a one-goal margin to take their Champions League record to four wins from four games. Apart from maintaining their unblemished record in the competition since the start of the season, Manchester City also sealed their place in the next stage by virtue of the win over Olympiakos who have a lot of work to do to dream of qualifying for the next round.
Olympiakos are in third position in Group C with three points and they trail FC Porto in second position by six points after four games. Olympiakos must beat bottom team Marseille on matchday five next week and hope FC Porto don’t take any point against leaders Manchester City in the other group game so as to take qualification to the final game which sees them take on FC Porto at home.