Gritty City can't afford to relax, warns Navas

Manchester City has edged closer to a place in the Champions League semifinals but Jesus Navas has warned it can't afford to relax when the team returns to Premier League action on Saturday.

City's 2-2 draw at Paris St.-Germain in the first leg of its quarterfinal has made it favorite to progress to the last four following next Tuesday's return meeting at Eastlands.

But before that, City faces a visit from West Bromwich Albion as it looks to make sure it is not reliant on winning the Champions League to guarantee playing in the competition again next season.

And City knows it can't afford any distractions as it looks to secure a top-four finish - regardless of whether it goes on to win Europe's elite club competition for the first time.

Manuel Pellegrini's side is in fourth place, but only one point ahead of Manchester United and three in front of West Ham.

Mid-table West Brom, seemingly with little to play for, has never won at Eastlands and another win on Saturday would give City a double over the Midlanders for the fifth successive season.

But Spanish winger Navas is adamant City can take nothing for granted as it seeks to avoid a slip-up four days before one of the biggest games in the club's history.

"I've always said that this is the best league in the world. Any opponent can make life tough for you," Navas said.

"Things are never easy against whoever you play, which is why every game you have to be totally at it, on your mettle and totally focused and concentrated.

"We've got some big games coming up and certainly some important league games. The next one is the one that we're all focused on at the moment. We have got everything to play for."

(China Daily 04/09/2016 page12)