Pep Guardiola insists he has learned from his past Champions League mistakes

Pep Guardiola believes he has learned from past mistakes in the Champions League and promised that Manchester City will not compromise their principles in Paris.

The City manager has previously fielded criticism for perceived tactical over-thinking, notably after a shock quarter-final defeat by Lyon last August.

Guardiola, who cut a relaxed figure this afternoon, has confidence that his team can head to France and impose themselves on Mauricio Pochettino’s Paris Saint-Germain.

‘I learned maybe from my experience in this competition that the closer you are to who are are, the more chance you have of going through,’ Guardiola said.

‘Not when you are thinking about the opponent, about what you do. I want to be ourselves. That is my wish, my dream.

‘We know we are going to suffer in both games [vs PSG], that they will have chances. All we can do is create chances ourselves. Are we going to play 90 minutes worrying about them or focus on what we can do?

‘We are not the best team in the defensive departments. We are good with the ball.’

Manchester City suffered a shock quarter-final defeat by Lyon (above) last August

Pep Guardiola who has still not won the Champions League with Man City was blamed 

Guardiola joked that he could not sleep when thinking about the talent at PSG’s disposal and told his players to enjoy the semi-finals.

‘We are going to suffer and they’ll have chances. I know the weapons they have,’ he added. ‘I try to sleep well last night and that was when I was not thinking of them. Incredible top players, their quality.

‘We are ready to try to stop them, defend as a team, play good football and try to score goals. We will have to adjust something.

‘I’m not going to tell you what I’ll tell them, but enjoy the travel, the moment, the coffee in the airport terminal, the night and the dinner watching the other semi, enjoy the press conference, the walk, the training. All the process.

He has promised that Manchester City will not compromise their principles when in Paris

Guardiola also joked that he could not sleep when thinking about Neymar and Kylian Mbappe

The 50-year-old also revealed a conversation he held with his Barcelona squad before meeting Neymar’s Santos in the 2011 World Club Championship.

‘I said to them, “this is the king of Santos” and all the players were open mouthed, “oh my god what a player”. A joy to watch as a spectator.

‘He has Brazil on his shoulders, the number 10 is not easy to wear. I’m pretty sure if he’d stayed in Barcelona they would have won two or three Champions Leagues with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, the best three I’ve seen.

‘He decided to go to Paris, nice city and nice club from the outside. What I want is for him to have stability, play in the regular way, but I’m a big admirer as he helps to make our football better and it’s a pleasure for me to play against them and him.’