PEP GUARDIOLA is warning his Manchester City players they must cut out the red-mist moments if they are to become kings of Europe.
Referees chief Mike Riley visited the Etihad yesterday to discuss City’s concerns about some of the tackles against Pep’s men this season.
Yet, in recent weeks, City stars — most notably Oleksandr Zinchenko and Fabian Delph — have had their own brushes with match officials.
Delph saw red for a full-blooded challenge in last month’s FA Cup defeat to Wigan.
Guardiola admits Zinchenko’s wild tackle on Victor Moses in Sunday’s 1-0 win over Chelsea could have been a sending-off.
And the City chief, who twice won the Champions League as Barcelona boss, said: “If what happened in Wigan happens in the Champions League — the red card for Delph on 44 minutes — you don’t win the Champions League.
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“Or with the action from Zinchenko on Victor Moses — it could be yellow, could be red.
“If it is red you are out of the Champions League. Sometimes it’s not about how you play.
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“The Champions League is different. It’s so important to be focused and concentrated.”
City have had problems with red cards in this competition before — most notably involving his old side Barca.
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In two last-16 defeats against the Catalans, City have had three sent off as they lost all four legs.
Pep’s side take a 4-0 lead into tonight’s Etihad second leg against Basel.
But he still reckons Barcelona are more likely to win the competition this year due to their history.
Guardiola, who notched his first City trophy with last month’s League Cup win, said: “That team has dominated for the last decade — and have 15 or 20 years with different managers and players.
“We just won the first title. To join this kind of team you have to be there a long time.
“They won a lot in the past. We are new. We won one title — so it is not comparing. It is not good for us to compare.”
Yet City should have the Premier League wrapped up in April and will be able to focus on Europe.
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Pep added: “We are almost in the Champions League quarter-finals and we are almost champions of the Premier League.
“But we are not in the quarter-finals and we are not champions, that is why we have to be calm.
“That is the best advice I can give to my players. The Champions League is a dream for the team to be there.
“It would be the second time in our history in the quarters. On Wednesday we start from zero. But have to be focused.”
Guardiola was not at yesterday’s Etihad meeting as ref chief Riley spoke to City bosses including director of football Txiki Begiristain.
Pep said: “I will speak with Txiki and maybe he will tell me how the meeting went.
“When I spoke about tackles it was not just about our players — it was about football.”
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