NEW MOON RISING

Pep wants improvement from £350m rebuilt side

- BY SIMON BAJKOWSKI

PEP GUARDIOLA has called on his new-look Manchester City side to prove their worth as one of the Champions League heavyweights.

City are fighting to show they are capable of winning again after failing to lift a trophy last term — their first season without silverware in eight years.

The club have spent more than £350million to rebuild the squad and are intent on making their mark in the Premier League and Champions League.

Last season was especially galling for City in Europe, with the 2023 winners not even making the knockout rounds after finishing 22nd in the new-look group format and being dumped out in the playoffs by Real Madrid.