Haaland alone won’t win Champions League for City, warns Pep Guardiola

Pep Guardiola has warned his Manchester City players that they cannot rely on Erling Haaland alone to make the difference as the club start their latest quest for Champions League glory at Sevilla on Tuesday night.

“If it all rests on his shoulders, if we rely only on him, we won’t win,” the manager warned his squad on the eve of another go at the competition that still eludes City. “I know, I know,” Guardiola said, head nodding, eyes rolling as the inevitable question came about the failure to land Europe’s most coveted trophy.

“I know, I know. it’s the Champions League,” he said. “They ask every year, every year they say we are favourites, and we never prove them right. Are we going to win, are we not going to win? I don’t know.”

He was keen not to make it all about the Norwegian striker, even as he admitted that he is a “special talent” who could be the difference on the Champions League’s biggest nights. “We will not win just because of Erling. I understand completely that everyone talks about Erling and hopefully he can help.”

The Premier League, where the midfielder Rodri Hernandez said City are “leaving a legacy” is one thing; this is something else. It can feel like everything.

Guardiola added: “We depend on what happens on the pitch. If it’s good and we do [win], we will deserve it; if not, we will go home and we will get punishment from fans, from the media, and we will keep going.

“In football you will lose more than you win but sport always gives you another opportunity. We will try to enjoy it; we know how hard it is. Personally, I always put my expectations very low. Just being here is great. What happens, then? It depends.

“If people see us as the main favourites, what can I say? Fine, OK. We’re