Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero is full of respect for old boss Quique Sanchez Flores but knows the now Watford manager will make his promoted side a threat at the Etihad on Saturday.
Argentine Aguero played under Sanchez Flores for his final two seasons (2009-11) at Atletico Madrid – scoring 46 goals in 95 appearances – in what was a memorable time for the Spanish club as they won the 2010 Europa League.
Aguero has since gone on to win the Premier League twice with City and after their strong start this season – three wins from three without a goal conceded – there’ll be no charity shown by the Sky Blues against undefeated Watford.
“Quique knew how to lead the group very well. He’s an industrious manager who knows how to put the qualities of his players to good use,” Aguero told City’s website.
“I was glad when I learned he was coming over to the Premier League. Of course, on this occasion we’ll be on opposing sides but I hope it’s a good match and we are able to win.
“After that, I hope Quique has a great season with Watford.”
Watford are one of six top-flight teams yet to have lost this season having started with three draws to sit 12th but will have a tough task to contain City, who have scored eight times already in their 3-0 opening win over West Brom, 3-0 defeat of champions Chelsea and 2-0 victory away at Everton.
And City will likely unveil new signing Nicolas Otamendi at home tomorrow to further show their superiority in England. Should they also seal the £58million signing of Belgian international Kevin de Bruyne from Wolfsburg it will be hard to look past them for top domestic honours.
However City will be keen to make more of an impression on Europe this season despite another tough draw in the Champions League group stages.
Europa League champions Sevilla, Champions League runners-up Juventus and Borussia Moenchengladbach lie in wait for Manuel Pellegrini’s troops, eager to better their record of group stage exits in 2011/12 and 2012/13 (when they failed to win a game from six pool fixtures) and the first knockout round in the last two seasons, where they were twice outclassed by Barcelona.
Brian Marwood, managing director for City Football Services, said: “It’s a little bit different to previous years as we’ve tended to get Bayern Munich or Barcelona so it’s new territory for us.
“We’ve played Juventus before in 2010 but Sevilla is a new one for us, so we’re excited and we’re really looking forward to it.
“We’re delighted that this is our fifth consecutive year in the Champions League. You’re always going to draw tough teams, this is a hard tournament but we’re looking forward to it. We know we’ve got a lot of tough games ahead of us.
“The expectations are always there for us these days – you have to enjoy that and to embrace it. There’s a hunger and desire from all of the group to be successful.”
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