Guardiola: League Cup important to Man City

Michael Graham
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola (left) and coach Rodolfo Borrell prior to the Carabao Cup semi final, second leg match at Ashton Gate, Bristol. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday January 23, 2018. See PA story SOCCER Bristol City. Photo credit should read: Nick Potts/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications.

Pep Guardiola says that the Carabao Cup is as important to Man City as any other competition, claiming the club need trophies.

The Citizens eased past Bristol City 5-3 on aggregate on Tuesday night to reach their third League Cup final in five years, but Guardiola dismissed suggestions the competition was not a priority for the club, who are also still in the Champions League and FA Cup too.

“We are so happy to be there, to reach this final,” he told Sky Sports. “We played an amazing game until 2-0 and then we lost control, these type of games never end until the end. This is a lesson for next weekend in Cardiff in the FA Cup and especially for the Champions League.

“At 2-0 we knew it would be easier because they needed three or four goals but with one minute left it was 2-2 and anything could happen.

“It’s not for me, it’s for Manchester City, a club who are trying to reach another level. We try to keep going, the important thing for me is to be there. We try to keep going in the FA Cup, in the Premier League.

“I know that we will be judged by trophies we win but we are so happy. Nobody can take away what we have done, but Chelsea or Arsenal are strong teams.”