Manchester City 'deserve to win the Champions League', says Joao Cancelo
- Planet Sport writer
- 14 February 2022
The Citizens have agonisingly fallen short in Europe despite their domestic success, but Joao Cancelo feels the club deserve to lift their first Champions League title this year.
Manchester City currently sit atop the Premier League table, nine points clear of Liverpool in second.
They're on track to win a sixth Premier League title, but while Pep Guardiola's side have dominated domestically, they're still yet to etch their name on the Champions League trophy.
The Citizens reached the final last season, only to lose out to fellow Premier League side Chelsea.
Eager to go one step further this season, they'll first have to get past Sporting Lisbon in their round of 16 clash.
City are not only favourites to win the tie, but are also one of the favourites to lift the trophy in May, and full-back Joao Cancelo thinks his side "deserve to win the Champions League" this season.
In his pre-match press conference, the 27-year-old said "We are a very strong team. The players know how to deal with the pressure of getting to the final but we are going up against the best teams in Europe.
"It is very difficult but we embrace this pressure. This club deserves to win the Champions League. That is what we play for and that is what we are trying to do this season."
With European glory the last box for City to tick since their rise to dominance, their shortcomings in the Champions League have been a criticism that hovers over them.
However, City manager Pep Guardiola insists the constant questioning of City's Champions League ambitions doesn't bother him.
"Ask whatever you want, as many times as you want. It doesn't bother me, it means we are here in the Champions League. It's an honour to travel to Portugal to try and win the game."
He added: "The harmony right now, this season, is exceptional, for many reasons. We know each other perfectly well and accept the good things and the bad things. Everyone has desire to play and fight."
City's first leg against Sporting takes place on Tuesday night, with kick-off scheduled for 20:00 GMT.
