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Mauricio Pochettino insists Man City clash is "not a personal battle"

Mauricio Pochettino insists Man City clash is
© Reuters
The PSG boss memorably got the better of Pep Guardiola in the Champions League during his time as Tottenham manager.

Mauricio Pochettino insists Paris St Germain's Champions League semi-final against Manchester City is not a personal battle between him and Pep Guardiola.

The Argentinian also says his memorable victory over City in the competition with Tottenham two years ago will have no bearing on the contest.

French champions PSG, runners-up last season, host City in the first leg of their last-four tie on Wednesday.

Pochettino (left) believes Guardiola (right) is one of the best coaches in the world
Pochettino (left) believes Guardiola (right) is one of the best coaches in the world (Martin Rickett/PA)

Pochettino said at his pre-match press conference: "It's not a personal battle, it's not a personal game. It's a battle between two very good teams.

"When you talk about Pep Guardiola you are talking about one of the best coaches in the world, if not the best. I admire Pep not only for the titles but the legacy that he is building in football.

"I love being involved in football and trying to learn, to compete and win, but it is a game between two big clubs. It's not going to be an easy game for either side."

Pochettino's Spurs beat City in dramatic circumstances in the quarter-finals in 2019. City thought they had won the tie with a late goal in the second leg at the Etihad Stadium, but it was ruled out by VAR and Spurs went through on away goals.

Pochettino's Spurs dramatically beat City in 2019
Pochettino's Spurs dramatically beat City in 2019 (Mike Egerton/PA)

Pochettino said: "There is nothing you can take from two years ago. It was a completely different game, a different approach and different teams. Always we live in the moment and the reality is this is completely different.

"Manchester City today are different and I am in PSG, which is a completely different club to Tottenham."

Forward Neymar says he will give his all to drive PSG to Champions League success following last year's near-miss.

The Brazil international says winning the competition is far more important than any personal glory.

Neymar has his sights set on Champions League glory
Neymar has his sights set on Champions League glory (Mike Egerton/PA)

Neymar, a winner with Barcelona on 2015, said: "We are going to do everything in our power to beat Manchester City. I will do everything, professionally speaking, to win this game.

"My main objective is the Champions League and not the Ballon d'Or. That is not my main priority.

"In the future I need to be able to remember that I have won the Champions League once, twice or maybe three times."

Neymar's future is a regular source of speculation but he says he has never been happier at PSG.

He said: "I really feel great, really happy. I am most happy this season.

"This year PSG has really improved and we have worked a lot to keep improving. We really want to win the Champions League."

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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City34255471244780
2Manchester UnitedMan Utd331910464352967
3Leicester CityLeicester34196961392263
4Chelsea341710753312261
5West Ham UnitedWest Ham341771055441158
6Tottenham HotspurSpurs341681060382256
7Liverpool33159955391654
8Everton33157114542352
9Arsenal34147134637949
10Aston Villa331461348381048
11Leeds UnitedLeeds34145155052-247
12Wolverhampton WanderersWolves34119143346-1342
13Crystal Palace33108153456-2238
14Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton34813133539-437
15Southampton33107164159-1837
16Burnley3499163147-1636
17Newcastle UnitedNewcastle3499163656-2036
18Fulham34512172545-2027
19West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom34511183165-3426
RSheffield UnitedSheff Utd3452271860-4217

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