Pep playing down stress ahead of pivotal week

At the start of a pivotal seven days that could well determine Manchester City’s destiny this season, manager Pep Guardiola last night demonstrated the complicated relationship he and his club share with the Champions League.

Guardiola first called on City supporters, who have often shown disdain towards the competition because of City’s Financial Fair Play troubles with UEFA, to back their club in the second leg of their quarter-final with Spurs at the Etihad.