With Manchester City needing a win to avoid a stunning early exit from the Champions League, Pep Guardiola wasn’t in the mood to discuss the prospect of his once-dominant team crashing out of European club soccer’s most prestigious competition.

Stones shone in the Treble success by transforming into a dependable solution in defensive midfield, largely alongside Rodri, however with the injury sustained by the Spaniard, Guardiola believes it rules out the idea of the England centre-back returning to the role this season.

Pep Guardiola has insisted that Manchester City ’s perilous position in the Champions League is not a problem but an opportunity. With a game to go of the group stage, City, the 2023 winners, are on course for an early exit as they stand 25th in the 36-team table.