Guardiola EXPECTING to put an end to Champions League trophy-drought but SCARED of Defensive Woes and Fans REPEL

Pep Guardiola last won the UEFA Champions League in 2011 with Barcelona and has been struggling to win the trophy for the past eight years now. His three years spell in Germany saw his effort crash before migrating to England to take Manchester City in 2016-17 season.

His first season saw him eliminated from the quarterfinals of the competition by Real Madrid. Liverpool’s Jurgen Klopp overcame Manchester City 5-1 on aggregate to qualify into the semifinals in the 2017-2018 season before Spurs repeated the magic to evict the English Champions last season.

Guardiola will work toward attaining the trophy this year after assembling a squad capable of competing in the elite European club competition although he is scared about the weakness in his defense and fans non-commitment to the European course.

The City boss admitted that the club must 'seduce' their supporters to back them in the Champions League after a poll of fans undertaken by the club confirmed they would rather win the Premier League than achieve success in Europe.

'We are going to try to seduce our fans,' Guardiola said. 'All I can do is say to our fans "come to join us and support us, these guys deserve it".

'It is impossible to do it alone, without the feeling that we want to do it and are able to do it. The fans must know that without them and without the nice environments (atmosphere) it's impossible.

'That's a reality of our club, we have to accept it. We have to seduce them so they realise how it's important.

'I know for the fans it's the Premier League that is most exciting. We know that as a club, we've done polls, and the people prefer by far to win the Premier League than the Champions League.

'I know how special it is. But this competition is nice too. They have to live it as a dream. We have outrageous players, they want to win and make a step forward too. We need the fans.'

John Stones and Aymeric Laporte absence is a big blow to the Citizen going into the game City's defensive vulnerability would give some encouragement to Dinamo Zagreb. Their game against the Toffees on Saturday revealed their defensive woes as Everton's eight shots on target was the most against City in Guardiola's reign at the Goodison Park; and for their set piece defending, it took two fine Ederson saves to keep out Mina's headers from corners.

De Bruyne, 28, has featured in all of City's Premier League and Champions League games this season but was substituted towards the end of their 3-1 win at Everton on Saturday.

Fernandinho will continue in his new central defensive role with Otamendi.

"If [Fernandinho] feels fit he can play [two games in a week]. It depends on his regeneration after games. When John [Stones] comes back we can make an alternative, now we have young alternatives and Rodri can play there. Last season he started to struggle a little bit but the season before he played every game."

Kevin De Bruyne has also been ruled out with a groin injury after been substituted towards the end of their 3-1 win over Everton.

Dinamo Zagreb are top of Group C, with Manchester City second after their opening group matches.

The Croats beat Italian side Atalanta 4-0, while City won 3-0 at Shakhtar Donetsk earlier this month.

"To play five at the back and score four goals [against Atalanta] is not bad," added Guardiola.

"They are aggressive and with long balls to the strikers, they are so strong. We have to be careful."