Pep Guardiola pushed his talented players on Tuesday afternoon as they prepare to get their latest Champions League campaign underway.
City are one of the favourites to lift the trophy in May inside Atletico Madrid's Wanda Metropolitano but Guardiola, who will not be on the touchline, will be warning his side against complacency when it all starts at home to Lyon on Wednesday.
Guardiola must serve a touchline ban for the opening Group F match against Lyon having been sent off in last season's quarter-final defeat to league rivals Liverpool.
Mikel Arteta will fill the void left by the former Barcelona boss on the touchline but fresh from beating Fulham 3-0 on Saturday, Arteta believes Sergio Aguero, David Silva, Leroy Sane and Co are full of confidence ahead of facing the Ligue 1 outfit.
'For me we have the best players in the world and I look at our players as if they are the best,' the ex-Arsenal midfielder told reporters.
'I wouldn't change my players for any others. They are absolutely fantastic, the hunger in this group is incredible.
'People talk about money to spend but people have to look inside this club, what we have created, it's phenomenal.'
Arteta will be allowed no contact with Guardiola during the match and he accepted it is not ideal to be without the inspirational head coach for the opening group game.
Arteta said: 'Obviously he is very disappointed. We all know how much the Champions League means to him.
'But he had a reaction to something in a big game and they made a decision and this is the situation. We respect the decision. He wouldn't choose the situation but I am here, I will try to do my best to reduce the impact of not having Pep.
'It is a good challenge, a very nice challenge, but if I had to choose, I would choose Pep on the touchline because he does that job better than anyone else.'
Lokcnptu
1
the game nice it's wine
Rixy
0
city will conquer tonight by six goals, trust me guys.
sozabekpt
1
the victory is ours city for life no city no football I wish everyone good luck
Zancdkmuyz
2
you could not differentiate Arteta's speech to that of Pep
pemcdenou
2
Man city are the favorite to win by 3 goals and above
ChrisJake9
2
I believe in you guys..even in the night time,"the sky is blue"...#Cmon City
Elsa98
2
I think the citizens will take their first 3 points from this game.
Misbcdelou
1
I believe you guys can do it this time. good luck. cheers. M.B.O
amedave1
0
wow his first press conference and he sounds so much like pep, in fact a better version of pep so cool and down to earth. I truly wish he is our next coach
CityMan
0
But Pep Guardiola didn't show up today in press conference, what is happening Sir????
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Arteta is the standing manager for this match so he let him do the conference.
CityMan
0
why pep cant be there？？
He yelled at officials during UCL match against LFC last season for some bad calls.
CityMan
0
Nice quotes from Arteta. Now we will see what this squad can do with out KDB and Pep! We believe in you guys!💪🦈
Rtamafor
1
i believe aguero's ability, hope he can seize the opportunity
Loversad
0
angry pep cant Can't be on the sidelines，Why do I want to laugh so much....
Josephs
0
come on man city，make a good start for the champions league
JAMESRMA10
0
This central axis without kevin really make me worried
huiman
0
I didn't expect a gentleman like pep guardiola to get a red card
Evans Onda
0
The shark team. The best team in London
taxation
0
No pep stands on the sidelines......
Jerry53
0
No pep stands on the sidelines......
Lucasbia
0
really miss Kevin，hope His teammates can dominate the game
MKMike
0
Pep the tactician and his team will ease past Lyon tactically.
Lorraine
0
why pep cant be there？？
wishing
0
The premier overlord coming....
BabaNla_14
1
But Pep Guardiola didn't show up today in press conference, what is happening Sir????