Motivation 'will not be a problem' as Guardiola set to change it up

PEP Guardiola insists motivation will not be an issue for City in the Champions League this week, despite the Blues having already secured top spot with a game to spare.

- SIMON BAJKOWSKI

City are in Serbia to take on Crvena Zvezda in a final Group G clash that has nothing riding on it for either side.

City are guaranteed to progress to the last-16 as group winners, while Red Star will finish bottom.

That gives Guardiola an opportunity to rotate and rest some players, even if he will be without four key men in Erling Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne, Jeremy Doku and Ederson.

The manager confirmed he will rotate his squad and give a chance to some fringe players who have had to wait patiently for their chance in recent weeks.

"We analyse opponents, what we have to do to win the game.

"We are going to rotate some players," he said, citing the busy schedule coming up with next week's Club World Cup on the horizon.

"We have three days, travel five or six hours, three days, three days, semi-final, three days, potential final.

"I'm very pleased I can play some players who haven't played lately." 

Asked if players like Matheus Nunes could play and impress in a game where there me is no pressure on the result, Guardiola didn't discuss any specific   player but did say that pressure must come from within the squad even if there is nothing riding on the three points.

He said: "Pressure has to be there for ourselves, but of course when you come to take the points to qualify is completely different.