Pep Guardiola issues Champions League warning after Arsenal defeat to PSG in final

Pep Guardiola has warned that the Champions League ‘destroys projects’ (Mundo Deportivo)

Pep Guardiola has warned clubs not to chase success in the Champions League after Arsenal ’s defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in last season’s final.

PSG won the Champions League for the first time in their history last year and successfully defended the trophy by beating Arsenal on penalties in Budapest last month .

Guardiola, meanwhile, has won the Champions League three times as a manager, twice during his time at Barcelona before he guided Manchester City to victory in the competition three years ago.

But the 55-year-old, who left Manchester City at the end of last season, has urged clubs to use their league performances as a measure of success instead of being fixated on their Champions League campaign.

‘The Champions League is a competition that destroys projects, and I hope that’s not the case at Barca,’ Guardiola said.

Arsenal lost on penalties to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final last month (Getty)

‘We must not think that just because you don’t win it, everything that has been built is no good.

‘The league is the competition that gives you consistency and continuity. In the Champions League, you need to reach the decisive stages in good condition, without injuries, and refereeing also has a huge impact.

‘What matters is that the daily work is excellent, that the team keeps growing and improving, and that they don’t believe the season is a failure just because they don’t reach the Champions League final or win it.

‘The league is what sets the foundation for judging whether a season has been good or not.’

Guardiola also praised Hansi Flick’s impact as Barcelona after he guided the club to a second successive La Liga title last season.

‘They are Barca players, whether they came through La Masia or elsewhere, even if they weren’t born here, in the end they are Barca players and they do very well,’ Guardiola said.

‘They’ve had two extraordinary years, beyond the results, because of how well they’ve played and how attractive it is to watch them play.

‘I’m a big fan of Hansi , of how they do things, and I hope he stays with them for many years.’