Clement demands belief ahead of Man City clash
Norwich City boss Philippe Clement has told BBC Radio Norfolk his players "have to believe" they can beat Manchester City in the Carabao Cup third round at the Etihad on Thursday. The Premier League holders have won the competition seven times in the last 13 years, making them formidable opponents.
Clement acknowledged the challenge but insisted the Canaries must maintain a winning mentality. "The league stays the bread and butter of this club, and for the future of this club also," he said, while stressing he does not want to "give away anything" in cup games. Norwich currently sit 14th in the Championship and face Bolton on Sunday, so Clement is balancing priorities.
No fear, insists Clement against world-class Man City
According to The Pink'un, Clement described Manchester City as one of the best teams in the world alongside Arsenal, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and PSG. He said the margins between these clubs are small, and the quality of their squads is exceptional.
Clement has experience in big games, having faced PSG with Monaco and played at the Bernabeu with Bruges. He admitted some Norwich players will find this level higher than anything they have experienced. "You need a few of those [players who overperform] and you need, in moments also, some luck. You need a really good goalkeeper who makes a few amazing saves," he said.
Most importantly, Clement stressed belief is key. "If you go with fear, with too much respect, you will never get a result." He reflected on the lasting memories football creates: "Those are the historical games. So games where nobody gave you a chance, but you still won. That's the charm of football also."
Carabao Cup test comes amid Championship focus
Norwich face a tough test against Manchester City, who will be looking to defend their Carabao Cup title. The winner will meet Brighton in round four, who recently knocked Manchester United out after coming from behind.
Clement is aware the league remains the priority for Norwich, who have nine points from seven Championship games. Sunday's home game against Bolton is crucial as the Canaries look to climb the table.
Balancing cup ambition with league survival is a fine line, but Clement’s message is clear: "I want a winning mentality, and it's not about not believing in games if you play one of the best teams in the world."