Pep Guardiola encourages Manchester City to remain "alive" in all competitions

Pep Guardiola has acknowledged the importance of Manchester City remaining "alive" in three competitions after the international break later this month.

The Citizens extended their unbeaten run to seven games after securing a slender 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Saturday, and the reigning top-flight champions still remain five points behind leaders Arsenal with 11 matches remaining.

An FA Cup quarter-final clash with Burnley is on the horizon for City, but they must first turn their attention to the second leg of their Champions League last-16 clash at home against RB Leipzig on Tuesday, with the tie nicely poised at 1-1 following the draw in Germany three weeks ago.

Guardiola has encouraged his City side to continue their strong run of form by winning their next two games against Leipzig and Burnley before a two-week break for international football begins on March 19.

Speaking at a press conference on Monday ahead of City's clash with Leipzig at the Etihad Stadium, Guardiola said: "It's really important [to be competing for trophies].

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"It's not just for a bad international break for guys who don't go to national teams, we want to be alive in three competitions. To have the pleasure of being in Europe and FA Cup and to be close to Arsenal."

Guardiola has insisted that the Champions League is still a "special" competition to compete in, and believes that his City side must take the game to Leipzig to ensure they come out on top and progress to the quarter-finals.

"Absolutely [the Champions League] is a lovely competition, so nice," Guardiola added. "Playing teams in another part of Europe, away from playing same teams and same stadiums in England. Of course, it's special. It's so nice to show our club all around Europe.

"When I saw the draw I said Leipzig were a really good team. Napoli, Real Madrid, Liverpool, they are really good too, every team in this stage have qualities and strengths.

"Tomorrow in front of our people we have to impose ourselves and win the game. It's easy, not how many goals, it's just win the game and that's what we have to do."

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Guardiola has also reiterated that his managerial career at the Etihad will be judged on whether he can steer City to glory in the Champions League, according to widespread opinion from the public.

Asked if Champions League success with the Citizens would complete his career in a similar way to that of Lionel Messi after winning the 2022 World Cup win Argentina, Guardiola said: "Yes [for the public opinion]. That doesn't mean I agree, but absolutely, we'll be judged for that competition.

"My first Champions League game here, they say are you here to win the Champions League? If I was manager for Real Madrid I understand, but as much as we go through it won't change."

Man City, who secured a thrilling 6-3 win over Leipzig at the Etihad last season, will be looking to reach the Champions League quarter-finals for the sixth successive year when they face their Bundesliga counterparts on Tuesday.