welcome to aphrobase: February 2017

GUARDIOLA: MONACO ARE KILLERS

Pep Guardiola has warned his Manchester City players that Champions League last-16 opponents Monaco are “killers”.

Leonardo Jardim’s side have scored 76 league goals this season, more than any other side in Europe.

With Falcao, Kylian Mbappe, Bernardo Silva and Valere Germain all in fine form, Jardim has assembled a top-class attacking unit capable of taking apart the very best defences in Europe and Guardiola is a huge fan.

“Like a spectator, it is so nice to see them,” he told reporters. “I am really impressed how good they are - physical, strong.

“The full-backs play like wingers, the wingers play like attacking midfielders. The two strikers are fighters and in the box - Falcao, Germain - they are killers.

“Both holding midfielders are intelligent, physically strong, they arrive to the box. Complete team.

“It is the most successful team in Europe in terms of scoring goals, so tough draw.

“Looking forward to playing against them, just compliments because they are a really good team.”

IT IS THE MOST SUCCESSFUL TEAM IN EUROPE IN TERMS OF SCORING GOALS

Vincent Kompany remains sidelined with a leg problem and is unavailable for the game with Monaco.

The City captain missed the weekend trip to Huddersfield and Guardiola has confirmed he won’t be back in action until the replay against the Terriers on February 28.

Meanwhile, Gael Clichy, who has been hampered by a back injury this week, is close to full fitness but remains a doubt for Tuesday’s game.

“He [Kompany] is not ready for tomorrow,” he said. “It will not be longer, hopefully. For the Huddersfield game he will be ready but not tomorrow.

“Clichy had a problem in the back, it is much better. I don’t know if he will be ready for tomorrow.”

Find out all the latest TV, stats and facts for Man City v Monaco.

DE BRUYNE: AT OUR BEST WE CAN BEAT ANYONE

Kevin De Bruyne feels City have learned from last season’s Champions League semi-final defeat to Real Madrid.

City reached the last four for the first time, but lost 1-0 on aggregate to Zinedine Zidane’s side, with many people believing the Blues didn’t ‘go for it’ enough in the Bernabeu.

The Belgian can’t quite put his finger on the reasons City didn’t throw caution to the wind that night, but believes it is all part of the learning curve needed for teams looking to win the competition.

“Everybody wanted it to be different against Real Madrid but that’s how it played out on the night,” said De Bruyne.

“Sometimes you are so on it and ready to go but it just doesn’t come out on the pitch – it’s difficult to explain. It’s a shame we didn’t go through – it’s not as though we didn’t want it badly enough or didn’t try – but the important thing is that we learn from the experience and I think we have.

“At our best, we can beat anyone but that means everyone has to be on the top of their game and that can’t always be the case in football – that’s just how it is.”