Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola is leaning on the late Johan Cruyff in his preparation for tonight's Champions League semifinal first-leg at PSG.
Guardiola accepts PSG will have periods of dominance, but, inspired by the teachings of his mentor, he says it is important City relish rather than worry about the size of the task in front of them, a trait he believes all great players share.
“We know we are going to suffer in both games and they will have chances," Guardiola explained at his pre-match press conference.
“I know the weapons they have. Every person who loves football, everyone knows the quality they have.
“We are not going to deny that. But we are in the semi-final of the Champions League, what do we expect? To play against average players? Of course not.
“PSG do not just have two players who make the difference. There are many other situations and we have to know them and we have to talk about them.
“Are we going to think about their players or do what we want to do?
“I learned from Johan Cruyff, enjoy the game. Enjoy the responsibility. Enjoy the pressure. That is the elite.
“That's why the greatest win these competitions because they play like a friendly game. That's what I want to see in my team.
“The mythical sentence before we played the final at Wembley against Sampdoria in 1992. He said 'go out and enjoy'. I know I won't say this because I am not Johan Cruyff.
“But enjoy the travel, the coffee at the airport, the night in the hotel, our dinner together, enjoying this press conference and tomorrow enjoy the walk, the training. It's the process.
“We are privileged to be one of the best four teams this season and it must be enjoyed. This is what I want to see in my players.
“Once you arrive in these stages, you are nervous because you are thinking about the consequences.
“You are not thinking about the pleasure to beat them, to try and face them and say you are good, we are good too, let's try.
“This is the mindset the greatest teams and greatest athletes in all sports have."
