Manchester City cannot control the many narratives surrounding their Champions League campaign.
The Citizens have not won the trophy in their history, despite the massive sums of money they have spent since the Abu Dhabi takeover more than a decade ago.
Pep Guardiola, who has not won the competition since his time at Barcelona earlier in his managerial career, simply wants them to progress to the last eight by defeating RB Leipzig in midweek.
"It doesn't mean I agree, but absolutely, we'll be judged for that competition," Guardiola admitted about City's lack of success in Europe and how it shapes opinion of the club.
"Before my first Champions League game here, they say, 'are you here to win the Champions League?' I said, 'what?' If I was manager of Real Madrid, but here, I don't know, I accept it, as much as I go through it's not going to change.
"It's the same with many theories about this club. We cannot control it. It's nice at the start of the season we are the main candidates, main favourites in this competition. It's because of something we've done in the past, otherwise, they don't consider it. The reality is 95 minutes on the pitch.
"I took a look at Leipzig and said it's a really good team. People talk in England about Napoli, Milan, Real Madrid, every team has qualities and strengths, tomorrow, in front of our people we have to win the game, not how many goals, just win it.
"Chelsea are through, we'll see what happens with Liverpool. I am not thinking about the pressure of defending the UK in Europe. When leagues in the past go two or three or four in the quarter-finals from the same country, people say it's the best. Every league is special. This league is really good but each league has its own thing and this competition, one game or two games, many things involved, with the players cannot control."
