Pep Guardiola used Southampton's game with Manchester United this season to help explain why his team need to be at their best on Saturday.
Manchester City have bounced back from a defeat to Tottenham on the opening weekend to win three consecutive Premier League games and also began their Champions League campaign with a 6-3 win at the Etihad in midweek. Southampton, meanwhile, are winless from their opening four games after following defeat to Everton with draws against United, Newcastle and West Ham.
Guardiola know his counterpart Ralph Hasenhuttl well after first coming across him when they were both managing in the Bundesliga, and remembers well how difficult Southampton were to face last season; a 1-0 win at St Mary's in December 2020 was the start of City's incredible winning run that would win them the league title.
While Southampton have not had a quick start to the season, the Blues boss saw enough in their performance against Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's United side last month to know that they need to be treated with the utmost respect.
"They played against United at home and deserved to win. United were lucky not to lose that game," he said.
"One of the toughest games we had last season, both in Southampton and at home. At home we won at the end 5-2 but the first 30 minutes they created more problems. They are so brilliant, they are incredibly organised, I know Ralph from my period in Germany. it will be a similar game as Leipzig. They move quick, their transitions are late, they are clear with what they have to do.
"When you play in the Champions League it is so demanding in your physicality and mentally when they have a long week to prepare the game. That's why we need altogether the players, supporters, everyone to help us. I know that our fans will be there tomorrow to support us and hopefully Mr Parker can come to watch us."
