striker Gabriel Jesus celebrates scoring his team’s second goal
during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg football
match between Manchester City and Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium
in Manchester, north west England on August 7, 2020.Nick Potts /
POOL / AFP
Manchester City striker Gabriel Jesus says he can
imagine his hands round the Champions League trophy and he and his
team-mates are stronger for previous disappointments in the
competition coveted by their Abu Dhabi owners above all
others.
The 23-year-old Brazilian had a standout performance in Friday’s
2-1 win over 13-time European champions Real Madrid that earned a
place in the quarter-finals.
Jesus’s starring role eased concerns at the likely absence of
injured record goalscorer Sergio Aguero for Saturday’s
quarter-final in Lisbon.
Guardiola — who has not lifted the Champions League since his
second success with Barcelona in 2011 — and the squad fly to
Portugal later on Monday.
“We have to dream,” Jesus told British media. “I’m a dreamer and
can picture myself with the trophy on my hands.
“But I know the reality is different, we have to work, to show
our dedication. To win is the most important thing.”
Jesus — who scored in both legs and set up Raheem Sterling for
their first goal in Friday’s last 16 second leg — said the players
had turned disappointments in Europe’s premier club competition
into a positive.
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Under Guardiola they have exited in the quarter-finals the past
two years to English rivals Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur and
prior to that Monaco eliminated them in the last 16.
City’s best performance so far was reaching the 2016 semi-finals
under Guardiola’s predecessor Manuel Pellegrini.
“As a group, we have matured from being knocked out of the
previous Champions League editions,” said Jesus.
“We’ve learned to suffer.”
‘Run their socks off’
Sterling said Jesus is definitely not playing second fiddle to
Aguero — indeed the Brazilian’s goal on Friday drew him level on 23
for the season with the Argentinian veteran.
“He (Jesus) is not a sub, we’ve got two great strikers at this
club,” said Sterling.
“Both strikers score goals and when you play with either one of
them you know what you expect from each of them.
scoring the winning 2-3 goal during the UEFA Champions League round
of 16 first leg football match between Schalke 04 and Manchester
City on February 20, 2019 in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. Odd ANDERSEN /
AFP
“They are both top players in front of goal. You saw from Gabby
his calmness in front of goal was brilliant.”
Sterling’s goal was his 100th for City and made him only the
sixth English player to score 20 goals in the Champions League.
“It’s a good achievement but now I want some more in the next
couple of games, to keep progressing,” he said.
“But the most important thing is my goals count for something
and hopefully at the end of the competition they can do.”
The 25-year-old England international said City had to “run
their socks off” if they are to beat Lyon — who ousted Juventus on
Friday — and reach the semi-finals.
“They (Lyon) are a great team and it’s going to be a difficult
one,” said Sterling.
“But I keep saying the same thing -– there are teams in his
competition with great quality.
“We have to keep up the energy and play our football.”
AFP