Manchester City vs Barcelona: Pep Guardiola warns City to keep their heads when they take on Barca in the Champions League
City have had four players sent off in their last five matches against the Catalans
PEP GUARDIOLA has warned his Manchester City players to keep their heads against Barcelona.
City have lost all five games between the clubs since 2014 and had FOUR men sent off.
Ahead of tonight’s Champions League clash, Guardiola (right) said: “You have to learn. It’s always difficult against Barcelona 11 v 11. So when it’s 10 v 11 it’s almost impossible.
“Manuel Pellegrini lived through that. Sometimes they were unfair and last time in Barcelona it was from a mistake.
“And at that level it’s impossible to achieve your targets if you don’t keep your discipline. But it’s football — football is a game of mistakes.”
Blunder keeper Claudio Bravo was dismissed for handling outside his area in a 4-0 hammering at the Nou Camp two weeks ago, joining Gael Clichy, Martin Demichelis and Pablo Zabaleta on the red-card list.
Another defeat at the Etihad would leave City facing a major battle just to make the knockouts.
As well as four red cards, City have clocked up 16 bookings in the five previous clashes but midfielder Nolito has vowed to keep his cool.
The Spaniard — who snubbed Barca for City in the summer — was sent off against Bournemouth in September for a headbutt and was lucky to escape with a booking for a similar offence at West Brom on Saturday.
The former Celta Vigo ace, 30, said: “Here it’s a strong game that you play.
“I had no intention to hurt any other player. But I have to show and set an example for children and other players and hopefully it won’t happen again.”
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