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The UEFA Champions League group stage draw was not kind to Manchester City, as usual, with the Sky Blues having to face Barcelona, Borussia Mönchengladbach and Celtic FC in the strongest, most difficult group in the European Cup this season.
Man City players quickly reacted to the results of the draw, and they had different takes.
Captain Vincent Kompany was confident, as always:
Usual type of draw for us. Better like this. Bring it on. #ChampionsLeague #Barcelona #Gladbach #Celtic
— Vincent Kompany (@VincentKompany) August 25, 2016
Midfielder Kevin De Bruyne was defiant:
Bring it on! #ucl pic.twitter.com/ALSnTQhTuf
— Kevin De Bruyne (@DeBruyneKev) August 25, 2016
And new signing Ilkay Gündogan was more analytical, because there's always one:
Interesting group. Former club of our coach, #Gladbach near by my hometown & a fantastic crowd in Glasgow! #UCLdraw @ManCity
— Ilkay Gündogan (@Guendogan8) August 25, 2016
City sporting director Txiki Begiristain also commented on the draw, and while he recognizes how tough Group C will be for the Citizens, he doesn't see it as a nightmare scenario for his team:
“It’s not a nightmare draw at all because we are in a wonderful competition and we are really happy to be here, but in Barcelona, Borussia Monchengladbach and Celtic we know it won’t be easy.
“We reached the semi-final last season and we want to go far in the Champions League again. It is a very difficult competition to win – for everybody - and you need luck along the way, but we are ready and always trying to improve
“Both games against Borussia Monchengladbach were tough last year, even though we won them both. They are a very strong side and it’s going to be hard again.
“[Text from Guardiola?] No, not yet – but it’s going to come, don’t worry! It’s good for Pep because he knows Borussia very well from his time at Bayern and Barcelona as well so we will see.
“He had been back to Barca before with Bayern Munich so it’s not the first time he’s been returned to the Camp Nou - Barcelona will start as favourites for the group but that is nothing new – they are a fantastic side.
“Celtic will be hard as well – I love watching Celtic play Rangers and games like that and they are friends of ours so as I say, it’s an amazing group.”
Source: ManCity.com
The Champions League can be tough all it wants, but we now have the coach to win it. We've got Guardiola now.