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DPA
Berlin
John Stones is relishing the prospect of tangling with Neymar and Kylian Mbappe once more as Manchester City eye a place in the Champions League final.
Pep Guardiola’s side came from behind to claim a 2-1 win over Paris Saint-Germain last week at the Parc des Princes, putting them in a strong position for Tuesday’s return at the Etihad Stadium.
PSG’s all-star attack was largely nullified, centre back Marquinhos having headed them into an early lead, and especially so after half-time.
Mbappe failed to attempt a single shot for the first time in a Champions League game where he has completed 90 minutes, with Stones and central defensive partner Ruben Dias taking plenty of plaudits for their display.
“It’s never easy, whoever we come up against. On the big occasions it matters the most,” Stones told reporters at a Monday news conference, after Mbappe was confirmed as a member of PSG’s travelling party despite sustaining a calf issue during the initial encounter.
“To come up against two world-class players is exciting for us as defenders. To test ourselves, show our ability and show how we can adapt to the challenge ahead to keep them quiet.
“I think we did that really, really well in the second half of the previous game City are in the semi-finals for the first time since 2016, with a slew of knockout stage disappointments having afflicted them under Guardiola.
However, Stones feels setbacks versus Monaco, Liverpool, Tottenham and Lyon over recent seasons will serve to sharpen collective minds as PSG aim to overturn the deficit.
“I do think all those things that have happened, us going out, have made us a stronger team,” he said.
“The disappointment of getting knocked out in harsh circumstances is hard to take and something we have had to use season-on-season - especially this season - as fuel to go and motivate us to make that next step and get our goal, which is to win the Champions League.”
Berlin
John Stones is relishing the prospect of tangling with Neymar and Kylian Mbappe once more as Manchester City eye a place in the Champions League final.
Pep Guardiola’s side came from behind to claim a 2-1 win over Paris Saint-Germain last week at the Parc des Princes, putting them in a strong position for Tuesday’s return at the Etihad Stadium.
PSG’s all-star attack was largely nullified, centre back Marquinhos having headed them into an early lead, and especially so after half-time.
Mbappe failed to attempt a single shot for the first time in a Champions League game where he has completed 90 minutes, with Stones and central defensive partner Ruben Dias taking plenty of plaudits for their display.
“It’s never easy, whoever we come up against. On the big occasions it matters the most,” Stones told reporters at a Monday news conference, after Mbappe was confirmed as a member of PSG’s travelling party despite sustaining a calf issue during the initial encounter.
“To come up against two world-class players is exciting for us as defenders. To test ourselves, show our ability and show how we can adapt to the challenge ahead to keep them quiet.
“I think we did that really, really well in the second half of the previous game City are in the semi-finals for the first time since 2016, with a slew of knockout stage disappointments having afflicted them under Guardiola.
However, Stones feels setbacks versus Monaco, Liverpool, Tottenham and Lyon over recent seasons will serve to sharpen collective minds as PSG aim to overturn the deficit.
“I do think all those things that have happened, us going out, have made us a stronger team,” he said.
“The disappointment of getting knocked out in harsh circumstances is hard to take and something we have had to use season-on-season - especially this season - as fuel to go and motivate us to make that next step and get our goal, which is to win the Champions League.”
