UP FOR THE FIGHT

Pressure's a privilege for Pep as City relish title battle

- David McDonnell

PEP GUARDIOLA says his Manchester City players are relishing the "dead or alive" stage of the season.

City remain on course for a repeat of last season's Treble, with Real Madrid up next in Wednesday's decisive Champions League quarter-final second leg.

Guardiola believes the jeopardy and pressure of not being able to lose a game brings out the best in his players, which is why he is backing them to stay fighting on three fronts again.

The City manager said: "They like to play under pressure. They like it when you are dead or alive.

"That doesn't mean we're going to do it, but I'm pretty sure we will be there until the end, because I know them.

"I see their faces in the meetings before games, and how they prepare. Does that mean we'll be Premier League champions? No, no. I'm not saying that. But we will compete, that's for sure.