Pep Guardiola says that retaining the Premier League title will remain Manchester City’s overriding priority this season.
Fresh from having created history last term in winning all four English trophies, the curtain rises on the 2019/20 campaign on Sunday when City tackle last season’s league runners-up Liverpool in the Community Shield at Wembley.
The Merseysiders, of course, tasted success of their own too last season in securing the Champions League.
This season though City have the opportunity to become only the second club to secure three consecutive Premier League titles.
And asked at his pre-match press conference whether achieving glory in Europe would instead now become the Club’s priority this term, the City boss was unequivocal in his response
“The Premier League is the focus,” Guardiola declared.
“The Champions League is an important tournament and difficult to win but I don’t want to go the casino and gamble everything for seven games.
“I want to be happy for every game for 11 months. When I win the Premier League, I am happy. I feel better so I work better with my players. For seven games from February it’s too risky.
“For the health and focus of the team it’s the Premier League, the Premier League is the focus. It’s the most important thing because it’s every weekend.
“The other ones are one moment, you can be inches offside, inches onside. In one or two games anything can happen.
