Pep Guardiola's responds to Sergio Aguero's claims he's ready for Champions League duty
By Max Cooper
Sergio Aguero remains in Pep Guardiola's thoughts for Tuesday's Champions League semi-final second leg with Paris Saint-Germain, after the Argentine shone in Manchester City's 2-0 victory over Crystal Palace on Saturday afternoon.
The 32-year-old broke the deadlock with a typically clinical finish on 57 minutes, offering his coach a timely reminder of what he can bring to the team ahead of the huge European clash in midweek.
After the victory over Palace, Aguero told BT Sport that he is 'ready' and 'hopes' to be involved in the second leg of the Champions League semi-final. However, he did insist that he's simply happy 'to be with the teammates' on their road to glory.
"Always I’m ready," Aguero said. "I’m feeling good, my knee is so good.
"I just wait for the opportunity to play, like today. I hope to play but If I don’t play it doesn’t matter. I want to be with the teammates. Of course every player wants to play, but we’ll see."
And Guardiola was full of praise for the goal hero at the final whistle, admitting he's 'in love' with the Argentine, and agreed Aguero 'is ready' for Champions League action.
"What a goal, what an action, what a player, what a man. He’s going to enjoy the last games.
"He showed with his goal what he has been and what he is. I’m in love as a person as he’s an incredible guy.
"In those circumstances, players with less quality than him are sometimes more uncomfortable for us than huge players like him. What a goal. Of course he's ready."
This season will be Aguero's last with Man City, and he'll be hoping to end it on a high, by bringing home the Champions League for the first time in the club's history. It is the one major trophy that has evaded the forward since arriving in 2011, and he will want to play some part in such a potentially historic moment.